Transparent disc with optical fiber retaining device

Abstract

The invention relates to a transparent disk, the disk having a disk body transparent to light, the disk body being delimited by a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, at least one holding device being arranged on the disk body for holding at least one optical fiber on the disk body. A retaining device is mounted at the inner surface of the disk body and has at least one recess extending a length along the inner surface and substantially parallel to the inner surface, the at least one recess being open in a region remote from the disk body, at least one recess is provided in the disc body such that at least one optical fiber can be inserted into the at least one recess from a side facing away from the inner surface of the disc body, and wherein another holding means is provided, by means of which the at least one optical fiber arranged in the at least one recess can be held.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a transparent disc, wherein the disc has a disc body which is transparent to light, and the disc body is defined by a first surface (referred to as an outer surface) and a second surface (referred to as an inner surface) opposite to the first surface, wherein at least one retaining device is arranged on the disc body for retaining at least one optical fiber on the disc body. Background Art

[0002] Optical fibers are used in various applications, for example in motor vehicle headlights and motor vehicle lighting devices, for example in daytime running lights and side lights, turn signal lights, to produce light distribution, for example also in adaptive headlights, or also as design elements, in that the optical fibers are designed and arranged in various shapes and patterns to produce aesthetic design elements in the headlights or lighting devices. This allows motor vehicle manufacturers to create customized, striking headlight designs that contribute to the identification of the motor vehicle and are used to personalize the motor vehicle driver.

[0003] Such lighting devices usually have at least one light source, by which one or more light distributions (low beam, high beam, etc.) or signal functions (such as static turn signal lights, etc.) can be generated, for example. The at least one light source can be, for example, one or more LEDs, but can also be a more complex arrangement of light-emitting elements, such as LEDs that cooperate with light shaping tools (such as reflectors, projection lenses, light guides, etc.) that generate the desired light distribution or light function.

[0004] For one or more optical fibers, one or more additional light sources are usually provided, whereby light is fed into the optical fiber at one or both ends of the optical fiber(s), propagates in the optical fiber(s) in the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber(s), and then emerges from the optical fiber(s), for example via light scattering at the outer surface of the optical fiber(s), thereby causing the optical fiber(s) to emit light.

[0005] In typical applications, the optical fiber is fastened to a holder which is installed in a housing, for example a motor vehicle headlight housing or a motor vehicle taillight housing or in a housing of a lighting device mounted on the side area of ​​the motor vehicle.

[0006] The one or more light sources are usually arranged in a housing of such a lighting device, which is covered or closed by a light-transmitting transparent disk, which is usually called a terminal disk or cover disk when used in conjunction with a lighting device for a motor vehicle. In this case, the disk is transparent at least in a part of the wavelength range of the light emitted by the at least one light source, which wavelength range is typically in the visible and / or infrared wavelength range.

[0007] It is generally desirable to position the optical fiber as close as possible to the transparent disk in order to achieve an optimal lighting effect, which is particularly advantageous when using the optical fiber as a design element. For example, such a positioning is advantageous in order to optimally achieve so-called "linear" lighting effects and linear lighting phenomena, in which a light pattern with a large extension in one direction and a small extension in a direction transverse thereto is obtained; to produce a narrow line-shaped light impression, for example as a contour line or design line.

[0008] As described in DE 10 2017 205 628 A1, there is a solution for arranging the optical fiber directly in the terminal disk or cover disk. This document describes that the optical fiber can be inserted from the outside of the terminal disk into a longitudinal depression in the terminal disk, for which purpose, for example, an "upward bend" of the terminal disk is provided in the region of the depression, and when elastic materials are used, this upward bend of the material can largely return to the original state.

[0009] A disadvantage of this solution is that in each case intervention must be made on the terminal disk, in particular from the outside, which leads to optical interference points or areas on the terminal disk, which can affect the terminal disk optics itself on the one hand and the optical function of the terminal disk on the other hand.

[0010] However, the use of optical fibers in combination with transparent disks is not only meaningful in the area of ​​motor vehicle lighting. To a greater extent, it is also meaningful to use optical fibers in combination with general lighting devices, such as lighting devices for residential or work space lighting, road lighting, etc., for which more than one light-transmitting transparent disk is provided, which closes the housing of the lighting device.

[0011] For such applications, at least one light source is typically provided to realize the basic function of the lighting device, and at least one optical fiber is used to realize additional light functions, such as for realizing design light, by using at least one additional light source. Summary of the invention

[0012] It is an object of the invention to provide a solution how to position an optical fiber or a plurality of optical fibers as close as possible to a transparent disk, for example a cover disk.

[0013] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the initially mentioned covering disk in that a holding device is mounted on the inner surface of the disk body and has at least one recess which extends along the inner surface for a certain length and is substantially parallel to the inner surface, wherein the at least one recess is designed to be open in a region remote from the disk body so that at least one optical fiber can be introduced into the at least one recess from a side remote from the inner surface of the disk body, and wherein a further holding tool is provided by which the at least one optical fiber arranged in the at least one recess can be held.

[0014] According to the invention, a holding device is provided on the inner surface of the disc body, in particular in the form of a structure protruding from the inside, which preferably protrudes as little as possible into the housing. One or more optical fibers can be held in close proximity to the cover disc or the disc body by means of the holding device.

[0015] Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0016] It is preferably provided that the holding device is produced from the same material as the disk body.

[0017] It is advantageous if the holding device is designed integrally with the disk body.

[0018] It is preferably provided that the holding device is designed to protrude, in particular to protrude vertically, from the inner surface of the disk body.

[0019] It can advantageously be provided that the depression is designed to be continuous over its length or to have one or more interruptions.

[0020] In the first case, the depression extends largely continuously over the entire length of the optical fiber, at least over that length of the optical fiber which is arranged in the region of the disk body. In the other case, the depression has one or more interruptions, in particular by virtue of the fact that no retaining device is provided in the region of the interruption, but that the retaining device is accordingly divided into two or more mutually independent, at least separate regions, in which sections of the depression are located.

[0021] It is particularly advantageous if the holding device is at least partially made of a light-transmissive material.

[0022] The holding device includes one or more components in which the recess is formed, wherein these components are connected to the disk body. If these components are configured to be light-transmissive, the light emitted by the optical fiber will pass through these components of the holding device and then pass through the transparent disk body to the outside. The holding device can also include other components that are not connected to the disk body, which are usually not in the light path emitted by the optical fiber, and such components can also be configured to be light-impermeable.

[0023] For example, in the variant described below, where the recess is limited by cheeks, these cheeks can also be made of an opaque material, since light does not have to pass through them. In this case, these cheeks act as light shields, suppressing crosstalk of light, especially for parallel light rays that are arranged close to each other and appear as independent straight lines after passing through these light shields. This makes it possible to more clearly show brightness contrasts and color differences.

[0024] If the recessed bottom is formed from the disc body itself, light can pass through the recessed bottom without hindrance. In contrast, if the recessed bottom is formed by an additional material mounted on the inner surface of the disc body, the recessed bottom is preferably made of a transparent material.

[0025] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that at least one recess is configured as a groove and has groove cheeks protruding from the inner surface of the disk body and preferably extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal extension of the at least one recess, and wherein the retaining tool is formed from the groove cheeks, specifically in that the groove cheeks are configured and arranged relative to each other so that they clamp the optical fiber inserted into the at least one groove-shaped recess in the recess.

[0026] The holding device is formed, for example, by a holding device body in which a recess in the form of a groove is formed.

[0027] In this context, but generally also in a general context not limited to the presently described embodiment, it is provided that the optical fiber is enclosed by a transparent, optionally colored cladding, such as a transparent hose-type cladding. It is also possible to simultaneously enclose two or more optical fibers by such a cladding.

[0028] In this case, in particular in the case of an optical fiber, the cladding can surround the optical fiber completely, in particular around the entire circumference; however, it can also be provided that the cladding is arranged only on part of the circumference of the optical fiber.

[0029] The optical fiber or optical fiber hose embedded in the groove can be clamped directly in the groove. Optionally, it can also be provided that the exposed area in the groove between the groove bottom, the groove cheeks and the optical fiber is filled with a filling material, thereby stabilizing the connection in the groove. For this purpose, the material is preferably hardened in a suitable manner after insertion.

[0030] For another embodiment, it can be provided that the at least one recess is formed by cheeks protruding from the inner surface of the disc body and preferably extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal extension of the at least one recess, and wherein the holding tool comprises at least one holding element, in which the at least one optical fiber is fixedly arranged, and wherein the at least one holding element is constructed so that when the holding element is engaged with the holding device, the at least one optical fiber is placed in the recess, and wherein the holding tool comprises a further fixing tool, by which the holding element can be fixed to the holding device.

[0031] The depression can then be designed in the form of a groove.

[0032] In this case, it can be provided that the at least one optical fiber is adhesively bonded to the at least one holding element and / or that the holding element has mechanical means for holding the at least one optical fiber.

[0033] The mechanical tool can be realized, for example, by providing in the holding element an approximately groove-shaped depression delimited by two cheeks, into which the optical fiber can be clamped or inserted or alternatively or additionally glued.

[0034] In this context, referring again to the above-mentioned embodiments, according to these embodiments, the expression "holding / fixing (and other means) at least one optical fiber..." may mean that one, but also two or more optical fibers may be directly held / fixed by the respective structures, and the expression may also mean that, as described above, one or more optical fibers are provided with a cladding and the cladding is held / fixed (and other means).

[0035] The holding element may be transparent or at least partially made of an opaque material.

[0036] Further, it may be provided that the holding element and the fixing tool are configured so that the optical fiber faces the inner surface of the disc body and the optical fiber surface is exposed.

[0037] In particular, it can be provided that the fixing means comprises bonding means or a mechanical connection between the at least one holding element and the holding device, for example clamping the at least one holding element to the holding device, or comprises welding between the at least one holding element and the holding device. The bonding means can be, for example, liquid silicone forming a bonding bed into which the optical fiber is placed, which then hardens.

[0038] The holding element itself can thereby be for example glued, (laser) welded or clamped to the holding device.The holding element can be designed to be complementary to the holding device so that it can be held by the holding device in a form-fitting manner.

[0039] It can be provided that the fixing tool includes at least one elastically constructed spring element, which is preferably arranged in the recess and, when the retaining element is inserted into the recess, exerts a restoring force on the retaining element and at least one optical fiber so that the retaining element is retained in the recess.

[0040] In one embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the at least one recess is formed by cheeks protruding from the inner surface of the disc body and preferably extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal extension of the at least one recess, and that at least one optical fiber can be placed in the at least one recess, wherein the height of the cheeks measured from the inner surface of the disc body is such that the at least one optical fiber protrudes from the recess or just does not protrude, and wherein the retaining tool comprises a film which is spread over the cheeks so that the at least one optical fiber is pressed into the recess and preferably against the inner surface of the disc body.

[0041] The film generally serves as a potting means for potting at least one optical fiber or optical fiber tube in the recess.

[0042] For example, it is arranged that the disk is provided as a shell enclosing the lighting device, wherein when the disk is fixed to the lighting device, the inner surface of the disk body faces the shell inner space formed by the disk and the shell.

[0043] Furthermore, the present invention also relates to a cover disc system, comprising a cover disc according to any one of the preceding claims and one or more optical fibers held at the disc body by a holding device.

[0044] In addition, the present invention also relates to a lighting device equipped with a transparent disk, wherein the transparent disk is the aforementioned disk.

[0045] It is preferably provided that the lighting device has one or more additional light sources, which are provided to feed light into at least one optical fiber held on the cover disk.

[0046] Further, it can be set that the lighting device includes at least one light source, wherein the lighting device is set to realize one or more light functions through the at least one light source, wherein the transparent disc is located in the light path of the at least one light source, so that the light emitted by the at least one light source can be irradiated onto the inner surface of the disc body and pass through the disc body.

[0047] For example, the lighting device has a housing which is closed by a disk, wherein the at least one light source and / or the at least one additional light source is arranged in the housing.

[0048] For example, the lighting device is designed as a living or working space lighting device, for example, as a ceiling lamp or a floor lamp, or as a street light, an illuminated sign, or a facade lighting device.

[0049] Finally, the present invention also relates to a motor vehicle light, wherein the motor vehicle light is configured as a motor vehicle high beam light or a tail light or is arranged in a motor vehicle headlight or a tail light, or is configured as a motor vehicle interior light or a motor vehicle bottom projection light, wherein the motor vehicle light comprises at least one of the aforementioned lighting devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a cover disc of a taillight equipped with optical fiber is roughly shown.

[0052] Figure 2 A lighting device in the form of a motor vehicle headlight lighting device is shown,

[0053] Figure 3 A lighting device in the form of a general lighting device is shown,

[0054] Figure 4 Another example of a lighting device is shown,

[0055] Figure 5 A fiber optic hose is shown comprising a plurality of optical fibers, the optical fibers being provided with a cladding,

[0056] Figure 6 A purely schematic diagram shows a section of the inner surface of a cover disk equipped with exemplary holding devices and optical fibers,

[0057] Figure 7 and Figure 6 Another purely schematic diagram is shown,

[0058] Figure 8 A first example of an oblique rear perspective view of a cover disk according to the invention is shown,

[0059] Fig. 9 Shows Figure 8 A sectional view of the cover disk in the region of the retaining device is shown in

[0060] Fig.10 Shown with Figure 8 A sectional view of a cover disc similar to the cover disc shown in FIG. 1 , provided with a retaining device designed in a different manner,

[0061] Fig.11 Shown with Fig. 9 A similar cross-section, again with a retaining device designed in a different way,

[0062] Fig.12 A second example of an oblique rear perspective view of a cover disk according to the invention is shown,

[0063] Fig.13 and Fig.14 Shows Fig.12 A cross-sectional view of the cover disk shown in

[0064] Fig.15 Shows Fig.12 Detailed view of an exemplary recessed portion under the embodiment,

[0065] Fig.16 Still another example of an oblique rear perspective view of a cover disc according to the invention is shown, and

[0066] Fig.17 Shows Fig.16 A cross-sectional view of the cover disk is shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Figure 1 A purely schematic diagram of a transparent disk in the form of a disk 1, for example a cover disk for a lighting device 100 for a motor vehicle, embodied in the present example in the form of a taillight, and a linear arrangement of two optical fibers 50 on the cover disk 1. Such an arrangement can achieve, for example, design effects or special appearances of general or taillights or motor vehicle headlights, which enable manufacturers of lighting devices (for example motor vehicle manufacturers) to individually design the appearance of their own motor vehicles.

[0068] Figure 2 A schematic side view of a lighting device 100 in the form of a motor vehicle headlight is shown. The lighting device 100 has at least one light source 103 arranged in a housing 101. The housing 101 comprises a housing interior 102 which is surrounded by a transparent disk 1, the so-called cover disk.

[0069] For example, one or more light distributions (low beam, high beam, etc.) or signal light functions (e.g. static follow-up turn signal, etc.) can be generated by the light source 103. The light source 103 can be, for example, one or more LEDs, but can also be a more complex arrangement of light-emitting elements, such as LEDs that cooperate with light shaping tools (e.g., reflectors, projection lenses, light guides, etc.) that generate the desired light distribution or light function. Of course, two or more such light sources can also be arranged in the housing.

[0070] The disk 1 is composed of a disk body 1 a , which is separated from the external space by an inner surface 3 facing the light source 103 or the inside of the housing and an outer surface 2 facing the outside and the lighting device 100 .

[0071] In this Figure 2 Another purely schematic diagram is further shown in FIG. 1 , in which two optical fibers 50 and an optical fiber hose 51 are arranged on the inner surface 3 of the disk body 1a. For the concept of the optical fiber hose 51, please refer to Figure 5 Related follow-up notes below.

[0072] The optical fiber 50 and the optical fiber hose 51 are coupled into the optical fiber 50 and the optical fiber hose 51 by light from at least one additional light source 113, for example, light from an LED or laser light source on a printed matter that can be mounted in the lighting device 100 (for example, on a printed matter on which the light source 103 is arranged). Usually, a coupling element is used, which connects the optical fiber to the light source like a plug, wherein the connection is typically established only when the cover disk (including the optical fiber) is mounted on the housing of the lighting device 100.

[0073] By means of the purely exemplary arrangement shown, a homogeneous contour illumination can be produced on the cover disk via the optical fiber 50 or the optical fiber tube 51 .

[0074] In general terms, without being limited to specific embodiments, it should be understood that the disk can be a transparent disk, but the disk can also be constructed as frosted glass at least in certain areas, but also entirely, by, for example, being roughened, being tinted or painted in certain areas, having an optical structure, having opaque areas, and any combination of these possibilities.

[0075] Figure 3 Another example of the lighting device 100 is shown, in this case, an example of an indoor ceiling lamp suspended and fixed on the ceiling 500 of the indoor space. In this case, the lighting device 100 also has a housing 101 and a housing interior space 102, in which a light source 103 for realizing the desired lighting function is arranged. The transparent disc 1 including the disc body 1a, the inner surface 3 and the outer surface 2 is in the light path of the light source 103.

[0076] On the other hand, there is provided an additional light source 113 for feeding light into the optical fibers 50 which are mounted at the inner surface 3 of the disk main body 1a.

[0077] Even though a housing 101 enclosed by a disk 1 is again shown in this example, it is not mandatory to provide such a housing 101. Usually, for the lighting device according to the invention, it is only provided that at least the disk 1 is arranged in the beam path of the light source 103 (or at least one of the plurality of light sources) of the lighting device 100.

[0078] Figure 4 As a final example, a lighting device 100 in the form of a signboard is shown, on or behind the transparent disk 1 of the signboard, information "Name A", "Name B", "Name C", "Name D" is displayed, and each of these information is framed by a light strip in the form of an optical fiber 50. Light is fed into each optical fiber 50 via an additional light source 113, wherein the additional light source 113, such as an LED, can emit colored light, such as red light, blue light, green light and amber light, so that different color effects can be produced.

[0079] The concept of "name A" represents any form of information placeholder elements, whether in the form of graphics and / or text, pictograms, etc. These placeholder elements can be simple imprints that can be placed at / on the outer surface 2 or the inner surface 3. As shown in the figure, at least one light source 103 illuminates the placeholder elements from the back.

[0080] However, it is not mandatory to provide the light source 103 , so in this case the lighting device “only” has one or more additional light sources as light sources.

[0081] However, it can also be a display or a flat screen in order to display different, even changing, information, wherein in this case a plurality, in particular a large number of light sources are provided.

[0082] As mentioned above, the term "one" or "at least one" optical fiber will often be used below. Figure 5 In this regard, it should be noted that, without being limited to a specific embodiment, the optical fiber 50 may be surrounded by a transparent, optionally colored cladding 52, or such cladding 52 may also be as shown. Figure 5 As shown, two or more optical fibers are wrapped at the same time, thereby forming a transparent optical fiber hose 51. In this case, especially in the case of an optical fiber 50, the cladding 52 can completely, especially around the entire circumference, wrap the optical fiber;

[0083] Therefore, when the text and claims refer to an optical fiber (or "optical fiber 50"), it can also be Figure 5 Shown is an optical fiber with a cladding or an optical fiber tube 51 with an optical fiber 50 therein.

[0084] Figure 6 and Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a disk system 200 according to the invention is now shown in general terms, comprising a transparent disk 1 according to the invention and one or, as shown, a plurality of optical fibers 50 mounted thereon, as is the case for the lighting device 100 described above.

[0085] As described above, the disc 1 includes a transparent disc body 1a, which has a first surface 2 (called outer surface 2) and a second surface 3 (called inner surface 3) opposite to the first surface 2. The light generated by the light source 103 in the lighting device 100 can be emitted to the external space through these surfaces 2 and 3.

[0086] Specifically, Figure 6 and Figure 7 A view of the inner surface 3 of the disk body 1 a of the disk 1 is shown, wherein a holding device 10 , in this case a plurality of holding devices, is provided at the inner surface 3 for holding an optical fiber 50 at the disk body 1 a .

[0087] As shown in these figures, the holding devices 10 each have a recess 11 in which the optical fiber 50 is arranged and held.

[0088] As explained in more detail in the other figures, the recess 11 is designed to be open in a region remote from the disk body 1 a , so that one or more optical fibers 50 can be introduced into the corresponding recess 11 from this direction or side.

[0089] like Figure 7 As shown, the recess 11 or the holding device 10 extends along the inner surface 3 for a set length L and runs substantially parallel to the inner surface 3. As shown, the recess 11 is configured to be continuous over its length L, but may also have one or more interruptions.

[0090] In the first case, the depression extends largely continuously over the entire length of the optical fiber, at least over that length of the optical fiber which is arranged in the region of the disk body. In the other case, the depression has one or more interruptions, in particular by virtue of the fact that no retaining device is provided in the region of the interruption, but that the retaining device is accordingly divided into two or more mutually independent, at least separate regions, in which sections of the depression are located.

[0091] The holding device 10 can be made of the same material as the disk body 1a, especially a transparent material, and it is advantageous if the holding device 10 and the disk body 1a are constructed as one piece. If the holding device is designed so that it does not hinder the propagation direction of the light emitted from the optical fiber, the holding device can also be made of an opaque material.

[0092] It is preferably provided that the holding device 10 is designed to protrude from the inner surface 3 of the disk body 1 , in particular to protrude vertically.

[0093] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 A first specific embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment of the invention, the (at least one) recess 11 is designed as a groove, formed by or limited by groove cheeks 11a, 11b protruding from the inner surface 3 of the disk body 1a, in particular protruding vertically, preferably running parallel to each other in the longitudinal extension of the recess 11.

[0094] See especially Fig. 9 , furthermore, holding means 20 are provided, by means of which the optical fiber 50 arranged in the recess 11 is held. In this case, in the present example, the holding means 20 are formed from the groove cheeks 11a, 11b in such a way that the groove cheeks 11a, 11b are constructed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that the groove cheeks in the recess 11 clamp the optical fiber 50 placed in the groove-shaped recess 11.

[0095] In the above-described example, the holding device 10 is therefore composed of a holding device body 10 ′, in which a recess 11 in the form of a groove is constructed.

[0096] The groove cheeks 11 a , 11 b thus form a depression 11 which tapers in the direction of the disk body 1 a , so that when the optical fiber 50 is pushed sufficiently deep into the depression 11 , it is clamped in the depression.

[0097] In addition to the groove cheeks, the groove also has a groove bottom 11c facing the inner surface 3. The groove bottom 11c can be designed to be straight / flat ( Fig.10 , Fig.11 ), or corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the optical fiber 50 ( Fig. 9 It can also be arranged that the groove cheeks 11a, 11b are formed on the inner surface 3 at a distance from each other, so that the groove bottom 11c is formed by the inner surface 3 of the covering disk itself ( Fig.10 ), so that light can pass directly through the cover disk without being hindered by the retaining device.

[0098] The groove cheeks 11 a , 11 b can be parallel, but preferably have a V-shaped (eg with a profile slope of 0°-10°) or a conical profile, or the cross section of the groove-shaped depression 11 can be designed in a dovetail shape.

[0099] in this case, Fig.11 Another embodiment is also shown in which two recesses 11 "share" a common groove cheek 11a, 11b, the middle part of the groove cheek being shown.

[0100] The optical fiber 50 (or optical fiber hose 51) embedded in the groove 11 can be clamped directly in the groove 11. Optionally, it can also be arranged that the exposed area in the groove between the groove bottom, the groove cheek and the optical fiber 50 or the hose 52 is filled with a filling material, preferably a transparent filling material, thereby stabilizing the connection in the groove. Fig.10 (Filling material 13) schematically illustrates this situation, where Fig. 9 and Fig.11 Such a filling material can also be provided in the described variants.

[0101] The filling material is for example located only on the rear side of the optical fiber, or on the rear side and the side surfaces, or on all four sides, including the front side facing the cover disk.

[0102] In this case, the properties of the filling material enable the optical fiber to emit light unhindered to the inner and outer surfaces of the cover disk. If an opaque filling material is used, such as a transparent liquid silicone, which is placed in the groove and hardened after the optical fiber is placed, it is preferably arranged that only the back and / or side surfaces of the optical fiber or the optical fiber hose are covered, i.e. the area away from the disk body 1a.

[0103] If no filling material is inserted, an air gap is preferably generated between the groove bottom 11 c and the optical fiber 50 or the optical fiber tube 51 .

[0104] The light from the optical fiber is emitted in the direction Fig.11 The direction X is used to represent it.

[0105] Fig.12 and Figures 13 to 15 A second specific embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment of the invention, at least one depression 11 is formed by cheeks 11a, 11b which protrude in particular vertically from the inner surface 3 of the self-covering disk 1 and preferably extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal extension of the depression 11. The depression 11 can in turn be designed as a groove.

[0106] The holding device 20 comprises a holding element 21 in which an optical fiber 50 is fixedly arranged. The holding element 21 is configured so that when the holding element 21 is engaged with the holding device 10, the optical fiber 50 is placed in the recess 11, and in particular, as shown in the figure, a row of holding elements 21 is placed in the recess 11, which holds the optical fiber 50.

[0107] Fig.12 shows a perspective view of the cover disk, Fig.13 1 shows a state in which a retaining element 21 has not yet been placed in the recess 11 in the upper region, and Fig.14 Both retaining elements 21 shown in FIG. 1 have been placed in the associated recess 11 .

[0108] In addition to the holding element 21 , the holding tool 20 also comprises a fixing tool 22 , by means of which the holding element 21 can be fixed to the holding device 10 , as described further below.

[0109] The optical fiber 50 can be glued to its holding element 21 and / or the holding element 21 has mechanical means for holding the optical fiber 50. The mechanical means can be realized, for example, by providing in the holding element 21 a substantially groove-shaped depression 60 bounded by two cheeks 61, 62, into which the optical fiber 50 can be clamped or inserted or, alternatively or additionally, glued. Fig.13 and magnified Fig.15 Such a depression 60 is schematically shown, which is formed by cheeks 61, 62, and the optical fiber 50 ( Fig.13 ) and optical fiber hose 51 ( Fig.15 ) is placed and retained in the recess.

[0110] In this context, referring again to the above-mentioned embodiments, according to these embodiments, the expression "holding / fixing (and other means) at least one optical fiber..." may mean that one, but also two or more optical fibers may be directly held / fixed by the respective structures, and the expression may also mean that, as described above, one or more optical fibers are provided with a cladding and the cladding is held / fixed (and other means).

[0111] The holding element 21 can be designed to be transparent, for example, or also to be colored or opaque.

[0112] For fixing the holding element 21 at the cover disc, it can be arranged that the holding element 21 and the holding tool 22 are configured so that the optical fiber 50 (optical fiber hose 51) faces the inner surface 3 of the cover disc 1 and exposes the optical fiber surface 50a (optical fiber tube surface 51a). Here, "exposed" means that the surfaces 50a, 51a are not covered by the holding element 21.

[0113] For example, it can be provided that the fixing means include adhesive means or a mechanical connection between at least one holding element 21 and the holding device 10 , such as clamping at least one holding element 21 and the holding device 10 , or including welding between at least one holding element 21 and the holding device 10 .

[0114] The holding element 21 itself can thus be glued, (laser) welded or clamped to the holding device 10. The holding element 21 can be designed complementary to the holding device 10, in particular to the depression 11, so that it can be held by the holding device in a form-fitting manner.

[0115] Fig.15 2 shows another design of the fixing means 22. According to this figure, it can be provided that the fixing means 22 comprises at least one elastically configured spring element 23, which is preferably arranged in the recess 11 and, when the holding element 21 is inserted into the recess 11, exerts a restoring force on the holding element 21, so that the holding element 21 and thus the optical fiber or, in the example shown, the optical fiber hose 51 are mechanically held in the recess 11.

[0116] In the example shown, the spring element 23 is mounted in the recess 11 at the cheek 11 a of the recess 11 and is pressed onto the retaining element 21 after the retaining element has been inserted into the recess 11 .

[0117] Fig.16 and Fig.17 A third specific embodiment of the invention is shown. In this embodiment, it is provided that at least one recess 11 is formed from cheeks 11a, 11b which protrude, in particular perpendicularly, from the inner surface 3 of the disk body 1a and preferably extend parallel to each other in the longitudinal extension of the at least one recess 11, and wherein the height of the cheeks 11a, 11b measured from the inner surface 3 of the disk body 1a is such that at least one optical fiber 50 inserted into the recess 11 protrudes from the recess 11 or barely protrudes, i.e. is approximately flush with the upper boundary surfaces 11a', 11b' of the cheeks 11a, 11b.

[0118] The holding means 20 may comprise, for example, a film 70 which is spread over the cheeks 11a, 11b, in particular their upper interface surfaces 11a', 11b', so that the optical fiber 50 is pressed into the recess 11 and preferably pressed against the inner surface 3 of the disk body 1a, or held in the opposite direction.

[0119] A film, for example an adhesive film, is spread onto the upper boundary surface of the cheek ("cheek-apical surface") so that the opening of the recess 11 is closed and the optical fiber is held in the inner space.

Claims

1. A transparent disc (1), wherein the disc (1) comprises a disc body (1a) which is transparent to light, the disc body being bounded by a first surface (2) called the outer surface (2) and a second surface (3) located opposite the first surface (2) called the inner surface (3), wherein at least one holding device (10) is arranged on the disc body (1a) for holding at least one optical fiber (50) on the disc body (1a), It is characterized in that The holding device (10) is mounted on the inner surface (3) of the disc body (1a) and has at least one recessed portion (11), which extends along the inner surface (3) for a certain length (L) and is substantially parallel to the inner surface (3), wherein the at least one recessed portion (11) is configured to be open in a region (12) away from the disc body (1a), so that at least one optical fiber (50) can be placed into the at least one recessed portion (11) from a side away from the inner surface (3) of the disc body (1a), and another holding tool (20) is provided, by which the at least one optical fiber (50) arranged in the at least one recessed portion (11) can be held.

2. A disc according to claim 1, wherein the retaining means (10) is made of the same material as the disc body (1a).

3. The disk according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining device (10) is constructed in one piece with the disk body (1a).

4. The disc according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining means (10) is configured to protrude, in particular vertically, from the inner surface (3) of the disc body (1a).

5. The disk according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the depression (11) is designed to be continuous over its length (L) or has one or more interruptions.

6. The disk according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining device (10) is at least partially made of a transparent material.

7. A disc according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one recess (11) is constructed in a groove-like manner and is formed or limited by groove cheeks (11a, 11b) protruding from the inner surface (3) of the disc body (1a) and preferably extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal extension of the at least one recess (11), and wherein the retaining tool (20) is formed from the groove cheeks (11a, 11b), specifically in that the groove cheeks (11a, 11b) are constructed and arranged relative to each other so that they clamp the optical fiber (50) inserted into the at least one groove-like recess (11) in the recess (11).

8. A disc according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one recess (11) is formed by cheeks (11a, 11b) protruding from the inner surface (3) of the disc body (1a) and preferably extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal extension of the at least one recess (11), and wherein the holding tool (20) comprises at least one holding element (21), in which the at least one optical fiber (50) is fixedly arranged, and wherein the at least one holding element (21) is configured so that when the holding element (21) is engaged with the holding device (10), the at least one optical fiber (50) is placed in the recess (11), and wherein the holding tool (20) comprises a further fixing tool (22) by which the holding element (21) can be fixed to the holding device (10).

9. The disk according to claim 8, wherein the at least one optical fiber (50) is bonded to the at least one holding element (21) and / or the holding element (21) has mechanical means for holding the at least one optical fiber (50).

10. The disc according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the holding element (21) and the fixing tool (22) are configured so that the optical fiber (50) faces the inner surface (3) of the disc body (1a) and exposes the optical fiber surface (50a).

11. A disc according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the fixing means (22) comprises an adhesive means or a mechanical connection between the at least one retaining element (21) and the retaining device (10), such as clamping the at least one retaining element (21) to the retaining device (10), or comprises welding between the at least one retaining element (21) and the retaining device (10).

12. A disc according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the fixing tool (22) comprises at least one elastically configured spring element (23), which is preferably arranged in the recess (11) and, when the retaining element (21) is inserted into the recess (11), applies a restoring force to the retaining element (21) and the at least one optical fiber (50), so that the retaining element (21) is retained in the recess (11).

13. A disc according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one recess (11) is formed by cheeks (11a, 11b) protruding from the inner surface (3) of the disc body (1a) and preferably extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal extension of the at least one recess (11), and wherein the at least one optical fiber (50) can be placed in the at least one recess (11), wherein the height of the cheeks (11a, 11b) measured from the inner surface (3) of the disc body (1a) is such that the at least one optical fiber (50) protrudes from the recess (11) or just does not protrude, and wherein the holding tool (20) comprises a film (70) which is spread over the cheeks (11a, 11b) so that the at least one optical fiber (50) is pressed into the recess (11) and preferably against the inner surface (3) of the disc body (1a).

14. The disc (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the disc (1) is configured as a shell (101) enclosing a lighting device (100), wherein when the disc (1) is fixed to the lighting device (100), the inner surface (3) of the disc body (1a) faces an inner space (102) of the shell formed by the disc (1) and the shell (101).

15. A cover disc system (200) comprising a cover disc (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and one or more optical fibres (50) held at the disc body (1a) by the holding device (10).

16. An illumination device (100) equipped with a transparent disk (1), wherein the transparent disk (1) is configured as a disk (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. The lighting device according to claim 16, comprising one or more additional light sources (113) arranged to feed light into the at least one optical fiber (50) held at the cover disk (1).

18. The lighting device according to claim 16 or 17 comprises at least one light source (103), wherein the lighting device (100) is configured to realize one or more light functions through the at least one light source (103), wherein the transparent disc (1) is located in the light path of the at least one light source (103), so that the light emitted by the at least one light source (103) can be irradiated onto the inner surface (3) of the disc body (1a) and pass through the disc body.

19. The lighting device according to any one of claims 16 to 18, comprising a housing (101) enclosed by the disk (1), wherein the at least one light source (103) and / or the at least one additional light source (113) are arranged in the housing (101).

20. The lighting device according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the lighting device is configured as a living or working space lighting device, for example, configured as a ceiling lamp or a floor lamp, or configured as a road lighting lamp, an illuminated signboard or a facade lighting device.

21. A motor vehicle lamp, wherein the motor vehicle lamp is configured as a motor vehicle high beam lamp or a tail light or is arranged in a motor vehicle headlight or a tail light, or is configured as a motor vehicle interior lighting lamp or a motor vehicle bottom projection lamp, wherein the motor vehicle lamp comprises at least one lighting device (100) according to any one of claims 16 to 19.

Images