Assembly for lighting a trim element and motor vehicle having

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (1) for illuminating a decorative element (2), comprising a decorative element (2) and a light guide (3). According to the invention, the decorative element (2) has a recess (6) which is open at the rear face (5) and extends towards the front face (4), which recess tapers towards the front face (4) and opens at the front face (4) into at least one associated light exit opening (7), a light-scattering body (8) being accommodated in the recess (6). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (100) having such an assembly (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an assembly for illuminating a decorative element, in particular for illuminating a decorative element for a motor vehicle, the assembly comprising the decorative element and a light guide. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having such an assembly. Background Art

[0002] Illuminated decorative elements are known in motor vehicles.

[0003] For example, it is known from DE 10 2017 214 943 A1 to arrange the lighting device behind the decorative element. A three-dimensional appearance is created on the side of the decorative element facing the lighting device using a laser, and during operation, the appearance is illuminated by the lighting device. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an assembly for illuminating a decorative element of the type described above, as well as a motor vehicle having such an assembly, with improved or at least different embodiments, which in particular eliminate the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the object of the present invention is to provide an assembly and a motor vehicle with improved or at least different embodiments, which are distinguished by a space-saving design while improving the appearance.

[0005] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] Accordingly, the present invention is based on the following general concept: the decorative element to be illuminated is provided with a groove that gradually narrows toward the light exit surface on the side facing away from the light exit surface, a light scattering material is inserted into the groove, wherein the light emitted via the light exit surface by means of a light guide reaches the material. By using the light scattering material and the design that gradually narrows toward the light exit surface, uniform illumination and targeted light guidance are achieved, wherein the groove and the light guide simultaneously promote a compact structural design. Therefore, the structure is compact, and the appearance perceptible from the light exit surface is improved.

[0007] According to the present invention, the assembly including the decorative element also has a light guide. The decorative element has a front side and a back side facing away from the front side. The light guide is arranged on the back side of the decorative element and extends along the back side. The decorative element has at least one groove which is open at the back side and extends toward the front side, the at least one groove gradually narrows toward the front side and leads to at least one related light exit port at the front side. A light-scattering body is accommodated in the groove, so that the light introduced into the light guide is emitted from at least one related light exit port via the body. Here, the at least one light exit port forms a pattern at the front side.

[0008] Thus, in operation, that is to say when light is introduced into the light guide, the pattern is illuminated.

[0009] The light guide is preferably light-scattering. Thus, a uniform light guidance is achieved within the light guide, thereby improving the appearance of the illuminated pattern.

[0010] The light guide is preferably provided with a structure with structural elements for light outcoupling in a manner facing away from the front side, so that the light guided by the light guide is emitted from the structure toward at least one body. Thus, light guidance is improved within the component and the appearance of the illuminated pattern is improved.

[0011] The structure can be of any type.

[0012] The structure can, for example, have a microstructure which is at least partially arranged / machined into the light guide. The microstructure can be arranged in the light guide by means of a corresponding tool and / or by means of a laser.

[0013] The structure can, for example, have a color element, preferably a white color element, applied at least partially to the back side of the light guide facing away from the at least one body. The color element can be applied to the back side in particular by means of color printing.

[0014] The decorative element is in particular a chrome frame. The chrome frame is advantageously a plastic component which is chrome-plated at least on the front side.

[0015] The front side of the decorative element forms the light exit surface of the decorative element.

[0016] The front side of the decorative element is preferably visible in the relevant application, in particular a visible side, so that the illuminated pattern can be seen from the outside. Likewise, the pattern can also be visible from the outside outside when it is not in operation, that is to say when light is not introduced into the light guide.

[0017] This component can be used in any application.

[0018] In particular, the assembly is used in a motor vehicle. The decorative element is therefore a decorative element of a motor vehicle. The decorative element can, for example, be a component of a radiator grille or a dashboard of a motor vehicle or constitute a radiator grille or a dashboard.

[0019] If the decorative element has two or more such grooves, they are advantageously spaced apart from one another.

[0020] Advantageously, at least one of the at least one main body tapers towards at least one associated light exit opening.Preferably, the main body at least substantially fills the associated recess.

[0021] At least one of the at least one bodies can be a component of the light guide. This means that the light guide has the body as a protrusion and the light guide is inserted into the relevant groove with the body. In this way, the light is guided in an improved manner to the at least one relevant light exit. In addition, the assembly of the component is simplified in this way.

[0022] It is in particular conceivable that the respective at least one body is a component of the light guide. If two or more such bodies are provided, the light guide has two or more such projections, which are advantageously spaced apart from one another.

[0023] At least one of the at least one light exit openings can be covered by a film, in particular a heat-pressed film, so that the associated body is not visible outside of operation. This improves the appearance.

[0024] The film, in particular a heat-pressed film, can be, for example, a film of the type known from DE 10 2014 112 073 A1.

[0025] The film, in particular the hot-pressed film, can be applied on the front side of the decorative element. It is also conceivable that the film, in particular the hot-pressed film, is applied on a side of the main body facing the at least one light exit opening.

[0026] At least one of the at least one bodies can be a component of a decorative element, which for this purpose is a multi-component component, in particular a two-component component. Here, the body is formed by a light-scattering component of the decorative element, also referred to below as a scattering component. In contrast, the relevant recess is bounded by another component of the decorative element, which is preferably non-light-scattering, preferably opaque, and is also referred to below as the main component. This simplifies the assembly of the component. In addition, this leads to the pattern appearing opaque from the outside outside when not in operation, so that the appearance is improved.

[0027] The scattering component is advantageously a thermoplastic, preferably polycarbonate or "PC" for short.

[0028] Advantageously, at least one of the at least one scattering element has an element inner side facing the light guide, the light guide having a light guide outer side associated with the scattering element and facing the scattering element, the element inner side and the light guide outer side running parallel, preferably flat. In this way, light is transferred from the light guide into the scattering element and thus into the body in an improved manner. Thus, the appearance is improved in this way.

[0029] It is conceivable that at least one of the at least one recess opens into only one such light exit opening, which means that the light guided by means of the relevant body impinges on only one light exit opening.

[0030] It is also conceivable that at least one of the at least one grooves leads to at least two, preferably a plurality of such light exit openings, which are opened at the front side of the decorative element. Thus, an additional visual effect is formed in the appearance, in particular in the appearance of the illuminated pattern.

[0031] The light exit opening can be opened in any desired manner on the front side.

[0032] The light exit opening can be arranged / processed in a simple and precise manner in the decorative element using a laser (ie using a laser process).

[0033] In principle, it is conceivable that at least one of the at least one main body is inserted into at least one of the at least one associated light exit openings.

[0034] In an advantageous embodiment, at least one of the at least one bodies, preferably the corresponding body, is spaced apart from the front side, in particular from the at least one associated light exit opening. This results in the body not being recognizable from the outside or at least not being recognizable easily, thereby improving the appearance. Furthermore, in this way, environmental influences on the body are prevented or at least reduced, thereby improving the durability of the component.

[0035] The pattern formed by the at least one light exit opening may be of any type as such.

[0036] In particular, the pattern can be a text logo. Likewise, the pattern can be a graphic logo.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the area density of the structural elements of the structure increases towards the center of the pattern. This means that the proportion of the area occupied by the structural elements increases towards the center of the pattern. Thus, the illuminated pattern is homogenized, thereby improving the appearance. Alternatively or additionally, the structural elements can be more prominent towards the center of the pattern for this purpose.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, light is introduced into the light guide along the front and / or rear side to illuminate the pattern. A compact structure of the assembly and an improved appearance are thus achieved.

[0039] The introduction of light is effected by means of at least one lighting device which generates and emits light during operation.

[0040] At least one of the at least one lighting device, preferably each lighting device, is advantageously an LED, thereby achieving a more compact structure and energy-saving operation.

[0041] In this case, at least one of the at least one lighting device can be a component of the assembly and, during operation, introduces light into the light guide along the rear side or the front side.

[0042] Suitably, the at least one body and / or the light guide is fixed relative to the decorative element. For this purpose, the at least one body and / or the light guide may be bonded to the decorative element. This may be achieved, for example, by using at least one adhesive tape.

[0043] Advantageously, the light guide, in particular together with the at least one lighting device, preferably also together with corresponding electronics, is accommodated in a housing element.

[0044] The housing part is preferably arranged on the rear side of the decorative element and is connected to the rear side in a fluid-tight manner. The components accommodated in the housing part, namely the light guide, preferably also the at least one lighting device, preferably also the electronic device are thus protected from external influences, in particular from the penetration of liquids. The fluid-tight connection can be achieved, for example, by means of a potting material.

[0045] It should be understood that in addition to the assembly, a motor vehicle having the assembly also falls within the scope of the present invention.

[0046] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims, the drawings and the description of the associated figures based on the drawings.

[0047] It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and those yet to be explained below can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or alone, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0048] Preferred examples of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Here, schematically:

[0050] Figure 1 showing a section through an assembly with a trim element in a motor vehicle,

[0051] Figure 2 An isometric exterior view showing components of a motor vehicle in an illuminated state,

[0052] Figure 3 Shown in unlit state Figure 2 The view in

[0053] Figure 4 A cross section of an assembly in another example is shown,

[0054] Figure 5 A cross section of an assembly in yet another example is shown,

[0055] Figure 6 An internal view of the assembly is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Assembly 1 for illuminating a decorative element 2, as for example in Figures 1 to 6 As shown, it can be Figures 1 to 6 1 is used in a motor vehicle 100 shown by way of example in FIG. The component 1 comprises, in addition to the decorative element 2, a light guide 3. The light guide 3 is light-scattering in the example shown and preferably is. The decorative element 2 has a front side 4 and a back side 5 facing away from the front side 4. The light guide 3 is arranged on the back side 5 of the decorative element 2 and extends along the back side 5. The decorative element 2 has at least one groove 6 which opens at the back side 5 and extends toward the front side 4, the at least one groove gradually narrowing toward the front side 4. Furthermore, the groove 6 leads to at least one associated light exit opening 7 at the front side 4. A light-scattering body 8 is accommodated in the at least one groove 6, so that the light introduced into the light guide 3 (see Figure 6 ) is emitted from the at least one associated light exit opening 7 via the body 8. The at least one light exit opening 7 here forms a pattern 9 on the front side 4, such as in particular from Figure 2 and Figure 3 Then, during operation, that is, when light is introduced into the light guide 3, the pattern 9 is illuminated. Figure 2 shows the lighting status, and Figure 3 Then it shows the non-lighting state, that is, it shows the state outside operation.

[0057] In the example shown, the decorative element 2 is a chrome frame 26 which is a chrome-plated plastic component 27 . In this case, the decorative element 2 can be a component of a radiator grille 101 of the motor vehicle 100 .

[0058] As from Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the pattern 9 in the example shown constitutes a text logo 10. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be further seen in FIG, the decorative element 2 has two or more such grooves 6, and the component 1 has an associated such body 8 for each groove 6. Figures 1 to 3 It can be seen from the overall observation of FIG. 1 that in the example shown, purely by way of example, one recess 6 is assigned to each letter of the text logo 10 . In particular, the respective letter is formed by the at least one associated light exit opening 7 .

[0059] As from Figure 1 as well as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As can be seen in the figure, in the example shown, the respective body 8 tapers towards the front side 4 similarly to the associated recess 6. As can also be seen from the figure, the respective body 8 substantially fills the associated recess 6.

[0060] from Figure 1 as well as Figure 4 and Figure 5 As can be seen in FIG. 4 , the light guide 3 is provided with a structure 12 with structural elements 11 for light outcoupling, facing away from the front side 4 , so that the light guided by the light guide is emitted from the structure 12 toward the at least one body 8 .

[0061] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, the respective body 8 is a component of the light guide 3 and is designed as a projection 17 of the light guide 3. The light guide 3 thus has, as body 8 for the respective recess 6, a respective projection 17 with which the light guide 3 is inserted into the respective recess 6.

[0062] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the example shown, the respective body 8 is a component of the decorative element 2. For this purpose, the decorative element 2 is designed as a multi-component component 18, in the example shown as a two-component component 19. Here, the respective body 8 is formed by a light-scattering component 20 of the decorative element 2, also referred to below as a scattering component 20. The scattering component 20 is, for example, polycarbonate. In contrast, the respectively associated recess is delimited by a further component 21 of the decorative element 2, also referred to as a main component 21. The main component 21 is light-impermeable in the example shown. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In the example shown, the corresponding scattering element 20 has an element inner side 22 facing the light guide 3, and the light guide 3 has a light guide outer side 23 associated with the scattering element 20 and facing the scattering element 20, and the direction of the element inner side and the light guide outer side are parallel and flat.

[0063] As from Figure 1 and Figure 4 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the corresponding groove 6 can lead to only one such light exit opening 7. Figure 5 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , the respective recess 6 can lead to at least two, preferably a plurality of light exit openings 7 , which are introduced into the front side 4 of the decorative element 2 , for example by means of a laser process using a laser.

[0064] In the example shown, the respective body 8 is spaced apart from the at least one associated light exit opening 7 and thus from the front side 4 .

[0065] As from Figure 1 As can be seen in the figure, the light exit opening 7 can be covered by a film 24, in particular a hot pressed film 25, so that the relevant body 8 is not visible when no light emerges from the light exit opening 7. In the example shown, the film 24 is applied to the side of the respective body 8 facing at least one relevant light exit opening 7.

[0066] As from Figure 6As can be seen in the example shown, the lighting device 28 is a component of the component 1 for introducing light into the light guide 3. That is, the component 1 has at least one such lighting device 28, which introduces light into the light guide 3 along the back side 5 and / or along the front side 4. In the example shown, the at least one lighting device 28 is an LED 29. The component 1 has at least two such lighting devices 28 in the example shown, which, in operation, each introduce light into the light guide 3 from the side. As can be seen from Figure 6 As can be seen in FIG. 2 , the lighting device 28 is arranged on the side of the pattern 9 in the example shown.

[0067] exist Figure 6 In the example shown, the component 1 has six such LEDs 29, of which three LEDs 29 are arranged opposite each other. Therefore, during operation, light is introduced into the light guide 3 from the side by means of the LEDs 29, as indicated by the dashed arrows for only three of the LEDs 29. The opposite LEDs 29, that is to say three LEDs 29 in the example shown, are arranged opposite each other. Figure 6 In the example shown, it is preferably mounted on a circuit board 30. Figure 6 As can be seen in FIG. 2 , the power supply line 31 guides the power supply of the lighting device 28 to the corresponding circuit board 30 .

[0068] As can also be seen from the figure, the component 1 in the example shown has a housing part 14 designed as a shell 13, in which the light guide 3 is accommodated. The housing part 14 is arranged at the back side 5 of the decorative element 2 and is fixed to the decorative element 2 so that the decorative element 2 closes the housing part 14 designed as a shell 13. In addition, the shell 13 is sealed to the outside. This is achieved in the example shown via a fluid-tight connection between the housing part 14 and the decorative element 2. For this purpose, in the example shown, a potting material 15 is arranged between the decorative element 2 and the housing part 14. Thus, the components accommodated in the housing part, namely in particular the light guide 3, preferably also the at least one lighting device 28, preferably also the electronic device is protected from external influences, in particular from the penetration of liquids. The fluid-tight connection can be achieved, for example, with the aid of the potting material 15. As can be seen from Figure 2 As can be seen in FIG. 1 , it is also possible to alternatively or additionally adhesively bond the light guide 2 to the rear side 5 , for example by means of at least one adhesive tape 16 .

[0069] Power supply line 31 Figure 6 In the example shown, an interface 32 , for example a plug 33 , is provided on the outside of housing part 14 , by means of which supply line 31 can be connected to an onboard electrical system (not shown) of motor vehicle 100 .

[0070] In the example shown, the lighting device 28 is likewise accommodated together with the printed circuit board 30 in the housing part 14 . Figure 6 Here, an interior view in the direction of the rear side 5 is shown, wherein the housing part 14 is shown only at the edge for the sake of clarity.

[0071] As from Figure 6 As can be seen in the example shown, the number of structural elements 11 becomes denser towards the center of the pattern 9. This means that the area density of the structural elements 11 increases towards the center of the pattern 9. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 by means of structural elements 11 of different sizes, the structural elements 11 stand out more towards the center of the pattern 9 .

Claims

1. An assembly (1) for illuminating a decorative element (2), in particular for illuminating a decorative element for a motor vehicle (100), - having a decorative element (2) with a front side (4) and a back side (5) facing away from the front side (4), - having a light guide (3) which is arranged on the back side (5) of the decorative element (2) and extends along the back side (5), It is characterized in that the decorative element (2) has at least one recess (6) which is open at the rear side (5) and extends towards the front side (4), the at least one recess narrowing towards the front side (4) and opening at the front side (4) into at least one associated light exit opening (7), - a light-scattering body (8) is accommodated in the recess (6), so that light introduced into the light guide (3) is emitted from the at least one associated light exit opening (7) via the body (8), The at least one light exit opening (7) forms a pattern (9) at the front side (4).

2. The assembly according to claim 1, It is characterized in that At least one of the at least one body (8) is a component of the light guide (3), so that the light guide (3) is inserted into the associated groove (6).

3. The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, It is characterized in that The decorative element (2) is a multi-component member (18), and at least one of the at least one body (8) is formed by a light-scattering scattering component (20) of the decorative element (2), and the associated recess (6) is delimited by a main component (21) of the decorative element (2).

4. The assembly according to claim 3, It is characterized in that At least one of the at least one scattering component (20) has an inner side (22) of the component facing the light guide (3), and the light guide (3) has an outer side (23) of the light guide associated with the scattering component (20) and facing the scattering component (20), the inner side of the component and the outer side of the light guide running in parallel, in particular, are flat.

5. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, It is characterized in that At least one of the at least one light exit opening (7) is covered by a film (24), in particular a heat-pressed film (25), so that the relevant body (8) is not visible when no light is emitted from the light exit opening (7).

6. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, It is characterized in that At least one of the at least one groove (6) leads to only one such light exit opening (7).

7. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, It is characterized in that At least one of the at least one recess (6) leads to at least two, preferably a plurality of such light exit openings (7) which are provided on the front side (4) of the decorative element (2).

8. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, It is characterized in that At least one of the at least one body (8) is spaced apart from the front face (4).

9. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, It is characterized in that the light guide (3) is provided with a structure (12) with structural elements (11) for light outcoupling, facing away from the front side (4), so that light introduced into the light guide (2) is emitted from the structure (12) to the at least one body (8), - the area density of the structural elements (11) increases towards the centre of the pattern (9).

10. A motor vehicle (100) having an assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images