Clamping device for light guide element and light guide element device with clamping device

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamping device (1) for a light guide element (10), comprising a receiving part (1a) for receiving the light guide element (10) and a fastening part (1b) for fastening the clamping device (1) and thus the light guide element (10) to a structural element (11). In order to simplify the arrangement of the light guide element (10) to the structural element (11), the invention discloses that the clamping device (1) has two clamping parts (12, 13) which are connected to each other by a hinge (14), the light guide element (10) can be inserted into or removed from the receiving part (1a) when the clamping parts (12, 13) are open to each other, and the light guide element (10) can be inserted into or removed from the receiving part (1a) when the clamping parts (12, 13) are closed to each other. The light guide element (10) is held in the receiving portion (1a). The invention also relates to a light guide element arrangement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a clamping device for a light-guiding element, the clamping device comprising a receiving portion for receiving the light-guiding element and a fastening portion for fastening the clamping device and (thereby) the light-guiding element to a structural element. Background Art

[0002] Documents DE102019110776A1 and EP3821169B1 disclose different clamping devices for fastening a light-guiding element to a structural element, for example in a headlight of a vehicle. To form a fastening device for fastening a light-guiding element to a structural element, the clamping device usually comprises a receiving portion (for example executed as a clip) for receiving the light-guiding element, and the clamping device comprises a fastening portion for fastening the clamping device to the structural element, and the fastening portion usually forms a pin or hole profile, or the clamping device is fastened to the structural element by means of glue, welding, screws or riveted joints.

[0003] Usually, when the light-guiding element is made of a material with a stable shape, it is almost sufficient to apply the clamping means at discrete intervals. When the light-guiding element has flexible properties, in most cases the clamping means must extend along the entire length of the light-guiding element in order to ensure that it is securely fastened to the structural element. Whatever the flexible properties of the light-guiding element, it is important that it is applied at the periphery of the light-guiding element.

[0004] Light-guiding elements are known for headlights, real lights, interior lighting, and light-guiding elements are now also known for use in the design of lights for vehicle seats, see US 2019 / 0001877 A1.

[0005] exist Figure 1 1 shows different possible fixing methods for a light guide element 10 which has to be fixed to a structural element 11. FIG. 1 shows that glue 19 is used to fix the light guide element 10 to the structural element 11 and the light guide element 10 is arranged in a recess 20.

[0006] The solution of FIG. II fixes the light guide element 10 on the structural element 11 by means of a separate clip element 21 which must be clipped onto the structural element 11 and an additional mounting component is necessary.

[0007] The solution according to FIG. III shows that the light guide element 10 is arranged in a recess 20 in the structural element 11 without a positive fit due to the lack of an undercut. In contrast to the solution according to FIG. III, the solution shown in FIG. IV shows that the light guide element 10 is clipped or snapped into the structural element 11. This solution requires the light guide element 10 to be snapped into the structural element 11, but there are limitations on the overhangs that form a positive fit, which can be caused by the production tool for manufacturing the structural element 10, in particular deformations of the plastic part 11 outside the molding tool.

[0008] Solution V utilizes a sandwiched structural element 11 to completely surround the light guide element 10 , but the structural element 11 must be translucent in order to allow light to pass through the structural element 11 . Summary of the invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a clamping device for fixing a light-guiding element to a structural element, which clamping device has a simple design, is easy to manufacture in a molding process or an extrusion process, and is able to reliably clamp the light-guiding element, especially when the material of the light-guiding element is soft and flexible.

[0010] This object is achieved by a clamping device as described by the present application and by a light guide element arrangement according to the present application and by the features of the invention. The present application identifies advantageous embodiments of the clamping device and the light guide element arrangement.

[0011] The present invention discloses a clamping device, and the clamping device includes two clamping parts, which are connected to each other by a hinge, and when the clamping parts are opened to each other, the optical waveguide element can be inserted into or removed from the receiving part, and when the clamping parts are closed to each other, the optical waveguide element is retained in the receiving part. The present invention is a design of a clamping device for receiving an optical waveguide element, similar to a clamp having two clamping parts opposite to each other, and the optical waveguide element can be clamped in a fastening part by form locking. The clamping device can be easily produced, in particular, when the clamping parts are in an open state, the clamping parts can be produced by injection molding. The clamping device can be easily fastened to a structural element without the use of tools, screws, glue or other auxiliary devices, and the optical waveguide element can be easily inserted into the receiving part of the clamping device.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the receiving part forms a circular part which is formed to surround the light guide element at an angle greater than 100° when the clamping parts are closed to each other. When the housing of the receiving part is greater than 180° relative to the circular cross section of the light guide element, the light guide element is received in the clamping device with the overhanging part, thereby positively holding the light guide element.

[0013] According to a further embodiment, the receiving portion forms a remaining opening portion for passing light emitted by the light guide element when the clamping portions are closed to each other. The remaining portion of the remaining opening portion has an opening angle of 90° to 130° or 100° to 120° or 110°.

[0014] This leads to the advantage that the holding device does not have to be translucent in any part and the light emitted by the light-guiding element does not have to pass through a part of the holding device.

[0015] Advantageously, the inner surface of the circular portion has a light reflecting coating, which can be made of aluminum, for example, which reflects the light emitted by the light guide element. The light that can be reflected by the light reflecting coating can additionally pass through the remaining opening portion of the receiving portion for maximum light emission efficiency.

[0016] The fastening portion of the clamping device can be formed essentially by insertion legs of the clamping portion, which are arranged parallel to each other when the clamping portions are closed against each other. When the clamping device has a longitudinal extension along the extension of the light-guiding element, the fastening portion forms a kind of fin which can be inserted into a slot of the structural element, in particular by undersizing the slit in the structural element, or by positive features of the light, in order to ensure a durable fixation.

[0017] The insertion leg is arranged between the circular part of the clamping device and the hinge. The hinge forms a symmetry point or symmetry line of the clamping device, and the two clamping parts have the insertion leg and the circular part, and the insertion leg is connected to each other by the hinge.

[0018] According to another advantage, the hinge is an integral hinge, whereas the clamping part and the hinge are manufactured as a single-piece component from plastic material by injection molding or by an extrusion process. Such a film joint forming the hinge can be easily produced together with the components connected by the film joint.

[0019] Advantageously, the two clamping parts are symmetrical to each other and the axis of symmetry is formed by the hinge. At least the receiving part or the entire clamping device has a longitudinal extension so that the light-guiding element can be received by the receiving part over the entire length. Alternatively, a plurality of clamping devices are used as fastening elements in order to fasten a single light-emitting element and the clamping devices are positioned at discrete distances along the light-guiding element.

[0020] The object of the invention is also achieved by a light-guiding element arrangement having a light-guiding element which is fastened to a structural element having the features described above.

[0021] In particular, the light-guiding element can be clamped between the receiving parts of the two clamping parts, while the fastening part is inserted into the slot of the structural element, thereby causing a clamping effect. The fastening part can form a friction fit and / or a positive fit with the slot in the structural element. Alternatively, the fastening part can be glued or fixed in the slot of the structural element by screws.

[0022] The clamping device can have a length aligned with the length of the light-guiding element. This results in a complete clamping of the light-guiding element along its entire length, which results in a constant emission line determined by the opening portion of the clamping device.

[0023] The structural element can form an element of a lighting device of a vehicle, in particular a headlight or a real lamp, an interior light assembly of a vehicle, a part of an interior lining of a vehicle, a seat, a dashboard, a door panel of a vehicle, an aircraft, a rail car or the like.

[0024] The components described above and claimed and to be used according to the invention in the described embodiments do not have any special exceptions in their size, shape, material selection and technical concept, so that selection criteria known in the relevant field can be applied without restriction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Additional details, features and advantages of the objects of the invention are disclosed in the present application and in the following description of the corresponding drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 Shown are known clamping systems I to V according to prior art solutions for clamping a light-guiding element on a structural element;

[0027] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a clamping device according to the present invention

[0028] Figure 3 is a clamping device applied to a structural element, wherein the light guide element is received in a receiving portion and a fastening portion of the clamping device; and

[0029] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional view of a light-guiding element held in a holding device, with additional cross-sectional views. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] Figure 1 Different fastening designs are shown for fastening the light-guiding element 10 to the structural element 11 , as described in the introductory part of the description.

[0031] Figure 2An embodiment of the clamping device 1 is shown in an open state so that the clamping parts 12, 13 are open to each other and connected by a hinge 14. The clamping parts 12, 13 include a circular intersection 15 with an inner surface 15a, which can be coated with a reflective coating such as aluminum, silver, etc., and the clamping parts 12, 13 include an insertion leg 17 down to the hinge 14.

[0032] Figure 3 The clamping device 1 is shown when fastening a light guide element 10, and the clamping device 1 is caught in a slot 18 of a structural element 11. The light guide element 10 is received in the receiving portion 1a, and the fastening of the clamping device 1 is formed by the fastening portion 1b being caught in the slot 18 of the structural element 11. The receiving portion 1a is mainly formed by the circular portion 15, and the fastening portion 1b is mainly formed by the insertion leg 17 and the hinge 14, respectively.

[0033] The circular portion 15 surrounds the light guide element 10 at an angle of more than 180° in order to achieve a positive fit of the light guide element 10 in the holding device 1. This results in a remaining opening 16 through which the light emitted by the light guide element 10 can pass.

[0034] Figure 4 An embodiment of a light-guiding element 10 is shown, which is fastened to a structural element 11 by means of a clamping device 1, which for better visualization is shown in a flying situation. The figure shows that the clamping device 1 has the same length as the light-guiding element 10, so that the structure emits light, wherein the light is emitted over the entire length of the light-guiding element 10.

[0035] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, which are presented only as examples and can be varied in various ways within the scope of protection determined by the appended patent claims. Thus, the invention can also be applied to different embodiments, in particular to cross-sections of the light-guiding element 10, with which the receiving portion 1a can be aligned, for example having a rectangular, elliptical or polygonal shape.

[0036] Reference Numbers List

[0037] 1 Clamping device

[0038] 1a Receiving part

[0039] 1b Fastening part

[0040] 10 Light guide element

[0041] 11 Structural elements

[0042] 12 Clamping part

[0043] 13 Clamping part

[0044] 14 Hinge

[0045] 15 Circular part

[0046] 15a Inner surface

[0047] 16 Opening

[0048] 17 Insert Legs

[0049] 18 Slots

[0050] 19 Glue

[0051] 20 Notch

[0052] 21 Individual clip elements

[0053] 100 Light guide device

Claims

1. A holding device (1) for a light-guiding element (10), wherein: The clamping device (1) comprises a receiving portion (1a) for receiving the light-guiding element (10) and a fastening portion (1b) for fastening the clamping device (1) and thus the light-guiding element (10) to the structural element (11), It is characterized in that The clamping device (1) has two clamping parts (12, 13) which are connected to each other via a hinge (14). When the clamping parts (12, 13) are opened to each other, the optical waveguide element (10) can be inserted into or removed from the receiving part (1a). When the clamping parts (12, 13) are closed to each other, the optical waveguide element (10) is held in the receiving part (1a).

2. The clamping device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The receiving portion (1a) forms a circular portion (15) which is formed to surround the light guide element (10) by more than 180° when the clamping portions (12, 13) are closed to each other.

3. The clamping device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: When the clamping parts (12, 13) are closed to each other, the receiving part (1a) forms a remaining opening part (16) for allowing light emitted by the light guide element (10) to pass through, and the remaining opening part (16) has an opening angle of 90° to 130° or 100° to 120° or 110°.

4. The clamping device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The surface (15a) of the circular portion (15) has a light reflecting coating.

5. Clamping device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The fastening portion (1b) is mainly formed by the insertion legs (17) of the clamping portions (12, 13), which are arranged in parallel when the clamping portions (12, 13) are closed to each other.

6. The clamping device (1) according to claims 2 to 5, characterized in that: The insertion leg (17) is arranged between the circular portion (15) and the hinge (14).

7. Clamping device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The hinge (14) is an integral hinge, the clamping parts (12, 13) and the hinge (14) being formed as a single piece from a plastic material by injection moulding or by an extrusion process.

8. Clamping device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: The two clamping parts (12, 13) are symmetrical, and the axis of symmetry falls into the hinge (14).

9. Clamping device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: At least the receiving portion (1a) or the entire holding device (1) has a longitudinal extension, so that the light guide element (10) can be received by the receiving portion (1a) over the entire length.

10. A light-guiding element arrangement (100) having a light-guiding element (10) which is fastened to a structural element (11) by means of a clamping device (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

11. The light guide element device (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The light-guiding element (10) is clamped between the receiving parts (1a) of the two clamping parts (12, 13), while the fastening part (1b) is inserted into the slot (18) of the structural element (11), thereby producing a clamping effect.

12. The optical waveguide device (100) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that: The fastening portion (1b) forms a friction fit and / or a positive fit with the slot (18) in the structural element (11).

13. The light guide element device (100) according to claims 10 to 12, characterized in that: The fastening portion (1 b) is glued or screwed into a slot (18) of the structural element (11).

14. The light guide element device (100) according to claims 10 to 13, characterized in that: The clamping device (1) has a length aligned with the length of the light-guiding element (10).

15. The light guide element device (100) according to claims 10 to 14, characterized in that: The structural element (11) forms an element of a lighting device of a motor vehicle, in particular a headlight or a taillight, an interior light assembly of a motor vehicle, a part of the interior lining of a motor vehicle, a seat, a dashboard, a door panel of a motor vehicle, etc.

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