Atmosphere lamp and lighting effect adjusting device

Abstract

The invention provides an atmosphere lamp and a lighting effect adjusting device. The lighting effect adjusting device can comprise a liquid container with a light-transmitting shell, the liquid container is filled with liquid, and the volume of the liquid is smaller than that of the liquid container; the reflecting device is used for reflecting incident light rays from a light source outside the lighting effect adjusting device to form reflected light rays, and at least one of the incident light rays and the emergent light rays penetrates through the liquid container and the liquid.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle, and more particularly, to an ambient light and an ambient light effect adjustment device for a vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Nowadays, cars are not only used as a means of transportation, and consumers increasingly focus on driving comfort. For this reason, many vehicle models are equipped with in-vehicle ambient lights. The ambient lights with decorative effects can create a comfortable atmosphere inside the vehicle, especially at night or in the dark. The ambient lights are generally strip-shaped and are arranged under the instrument panel, on the side of the door, in the storage compartment, on the skylight frame, etc. Most of the ambient lights are monochromatic, and some ambient lights can provide multiple colors or variable colors. However, the current lighting effects of the ambient lights are still relatively single, and consumers hope that the ambient lights can have more novel and diverse lighting effects. In addition, it is also hoped that the light effects of the ambient lights can be switched to increase driving pleasure and improve the driving experience.

[0003] In the applicant's prior patent application (CN202210740424.6), an ambient light and a light effect adjustment device are provided. As Figures 1-3 shown therein, a light effect adjustment device 2 is added to the traditional ambient light 1, and rich and flowing dynamic ambient light effects are provided through the three-dimensional structure 3 provided on the surface and the liquid 4 provided inside. In this solution, the light effect adjustment device 2 is a transmissive type. As Figure 3 shown therein, the light effect adjustment device 2 is disposed adjacent to the front of the ambient light 1, so that the light emitted by the ambient light 1 passes through the light effect adjustment device 2 from one side and generates a light effect as Figure 2 shown therein on the other side. This light effect adjustment method limits the installation position relationship between the ambient light and the light effect adjustment device, and it is not always convenient for installation for the ambient lights used at different positions inside the vehicle. Therefore, it is hoped that the ambient light and the light effect adjustment device can have a more convenient installation and setting structure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention content is provided to introduce some concepts that will be further described in the following detailed description in a simplified form. The present invention content is not intended to identify the key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to help determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0005] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure provides a solution for an ambient light for a vehicle. A light effect adjustment device is added to the traditional ambient light, so that the ambient light can have a variety of different light effects and can be switched according to needs to provide rich and interesting ambient light effects. By adding a reflective light effect implementation method on the basis of the existing transmissive dynamic ambient light structure, the convenience and flexibility of installing the ambient light inside the vehicle are further improved.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a light effect adjustment device for an ambient light, comprising: a liquid container having a light-transmitting outer shell, the interior of the liquid container being filled with a liquid, the volume of the liquid being less than the volume of the liquid container; and a reflection device configured to reflect incident light from a light source outside the light effect adjustment device to form reflected light, wherein at least one of the incident light and the outgoing light passes through the liquid container and the liquid.

[0007] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the reflection device is disposed inside the liquid container.

[0008] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the reflection device is disposed outside the liquid container.

[0009] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the light effect of the light effect adjustment device is adjusted by a liquid filling arrangement of the filled liquid, the liquid filling arrangement including one or more of the following: the material of the liquid; the volume ratio of the filled liquid in the region; the light transmittance of the liquid; the color of the liquid; and the number and shape of sequins placed in the liquid.

[0010] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a part of the outer shell surface of the liquid container has a plurality of three-dimensional structures for providing a light refraction effect.

[0011] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the light effect of the light effect adjustment device is adjusted by a three-dimensional structure arrangement of the three-dimensional structures, the three-dimensional structure arrangement including one or more of the following: the shape of the three-dimensional structure; the distribution of the three-dimensional structures; the material of the three-dimensional structure; the light transmittance of the three-dimensional structure; and the color of the three-dimensional structure.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the light effect adjustment device has a plurality of regions in its length direction, wherein each region has the same or different light effects.

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the liquid container is in a tubular or strip shape, and the light effect adjustment device further includes a rotation control unit configured to control the rotation of the liquid container about its central rotation axis.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ambient light system for a vehicle, comprising: an ambient light; and a light effect adjustment device as described in the first aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the light emitted by the ambient light is at least partially incident on the light effect adjustment device and is reflected by the reflection device of the light effect adjustment device to form a light effect.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the ambient light is configured to emit lights of different colors.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided, including: one or more ambient lights; and a light effect adjustment device as described in the first invention of the present disclosure, wherein the light emitted by the ambient lights is at least partially incident on the light effect adjustment device and forms a light effect after being reflected by the reflection device of the light effect adjustment device.

[0017] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle further includes an ambient light effect control unit, which is configured to control one or both of the ambient lights and the light effect adjustment device to provide different ambient light effects.

[0018] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the ambient light effect control unit is configured to provide different ambient light effects according to the state of the vehicle.

[0019] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the state of the vehicle includes at least one of the following: the vehicle speed; the driving mode of the vehicle; the music played in the vehicle; and the environment outside the vehicle.

[0020] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the ambient light effect control unit is configured to switch between different light effects according to an instruction from a user of the vehicle.

[0021] Compared with the ambient lights of the prior art, the ambient lights and the light effect adjustment device of the present disclosure at least have the following beneficial effects:

[0022] 1. The ambient lights of the present disclosure can provide three-dimensional and flowing light effects and can be switched among various light effects, making the ambient light effects richer and more interesting, enhancing the driving experience, meeting consumers' higher pursuit of ambient lights, creating the desired in-vehicle atmosphere, and improving user satisfaction; and

[0023] 2. Through the light effect adjustment device of the present disclosure, it can be achieved by retrofitting on existing ambient lights, and the light effect adjustment device of the present disclosure supports the light source to project light effects in a reflected form, making the installation of the vehicle's ambient light solution more flexible and reducing costs.

[0024] By reading the following detailed description and referring to the associated drawings, these and other features and advantages will become apparent. It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are illustrative only and do not limit the various aspects claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to understand in detail the manner in which the above-described features of the present disclosure are used, the above briefly summarized content can be described more specifically with reference to the various embodiments, some of which are shown in the drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings only show some typical aspects of the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting its scope, as the description may allow other equally effective aspects.

[0026] Figure 1 It is an exemplary structural diagram of a light effect adjustment device for an ambient light in the prior art.

[0027] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram showing the light effect brought by the three-dimensional structure in the prior art.

[0028] Figure 3 It is a schematic structural diagram of an ambient light system for a vehicle in the prior art.

[0029] Figure 4 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a light effect adjustment device for an ambient light according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a light effect adjustment device for an ambient light according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 6 It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a light effect adjustment device for an ambient light according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 7 It is a schematic structural diagram of an ambient light system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figures 8A-8C It is an installation schematic diagram of an ambient light system for a vehicle according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 9 It is a schematic logical structure diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Embodiments

[0035] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the features of the present disclosure will be further revealed in the following detailed description. However, it can be understood that the present disclosure can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar extensions without departing from the connotation of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not limited by the following detailed embodiments.

[0036] The expression "and / or" as used herein means including at least one of the components listed before and after this expression. The singular forms herein also include the plural forms unless specifically mentioned in the wording. Moreover, the meaning of components, steps, operations, and elements involving "including" or "comprising" used herein is that there exists or is added at least one other component, step, operation, and element.

[0037] Figure 4It is a cross-sectional schematic view of a light effect adjustment device 100 for an ambient light according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 4 shown, the light effect adjustment device 100 may include a liquid container 101 having a light-transmitting outer shell and a reflection device 103. As an example, the reflection device 103 is a reflector. Alternatively, the reflection device 103 may also be a specular reflection film provided on the outer shell of the liquid container 101 or any other suitable structure capable of providing light reflection. In Figure 4 the example of, the reflection device 103 is disposed inside the liquid container 101, so that the incident light from a light source outside the light effect adjustment device 100 passes through the light-transmitting outer shell from Figure 4 the upper direction shown in and enters the liquid container 101, passes through the liquid 102 filled in the liquid container 101, irradiates the reflection device 103 to form reflected light, and the reflected light passes through the light-transmitting outer shell again to form an ambient light effect in the vehicle.

[0038] In this example, the volume of the liquid 102 filled in the liquid container 101 is smaller than the volume of the liquid container 101, thereby forming a "flowing light effect" (or "dynamic light effect"). The "flowing light effect" is achieved by using the refraction of light by the liquid, especially when the liquid flows during the movement of the vehicle. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in order to increase the flowing light effect, the volume of the filled liquid 102 may be two-thirds, one-half or other ratios of the internal space volume of the liquid container 101. Thus, when the light effect adjustment device of the present disclosure is used in a vehicle, the movement of the vehicle, such as starting, turning, braking, etc., will cause the liquid 102 to flow and shake irregularly in the space enclosed by the light-transmitting outer shell due to inertia, thereby causing the ambient light incident into the light effect adjustment device and reflected out to be subjected to corresponding irregularly changing refraction when passing through the liquid, and further resulting in a flowing and dynamic light effect.

[0039] In addition to the "flowing light effect" (or "dynamic light effect"), the light effect adjustment device 100 of the present disclosure may also provide a "stereoscopic light effect" (or "static light effect"), a "color light effect", or other types of light effects and combinations of different types of light effects.

[0040] "Stereoscopic light effect" is achieved by utilizing the refraction of light by solids. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a stereoscopic light effect can be provided by disposing a plurality of three-dimensional structures 104 for providing a light refraction effect on at least a part of the surface of a light-transmitting housing. "Three-dimensional structure" refers to a shape having a convex or concave shape relative to a flat surface. As an example, the three-dimensional structure can be a cone with edges, and such a shape is sometimes also referred to as a "diamond shape" or a "pyramid shape". It can be understood that by providing a convex or concave relative to a flat surface, light will be refracted when passing through, thereby generating a specific light effect with corresponding changes. For a clearer description, in this application, the light effect brought by the three-dimensional structure is referred to as "stereoscopic light effect". As Figure 2 shown in, the three-dimensional structure can also be arc-shaped, wavy, spherical, annular, diamond-shaped, dot-shaped, polygonal or any shape and bring corresponding light effects.

[0041] The flowing light effect and the stereoscopic light effect can be respectively achieved and adjusted through liquid filling settings and three-dimensional structure settings. In addition, through different combinations of liquid filling settings and three-dimensional structure settings, different light effects can be provided for the whole or part of the light effect adjusting device.

[0042] In one example, the liquid filling settings can include but are not limited to the following properties or parameters:

[0043] The material of the liquid, such as water, oil, gel, etc.;

[0044] The volume ratio of the filled liquid in the area where it is located, such as 2 / 3, 1 / 2, 1 / 3, etc.;

[0045] The light transmittance of the liquid. For example, compared with completely transparent pure water, some liquids have a certain light-shielding property, thus bringing a certain soft light effect;

[0046] The color of the liquid. For example, by adding a coloring material, the light transmitted through the liquid has a certain degree of coloration; and

[0047] The number and shape of sequins placed in the liquid. For example, by adding sequins or particles in the liquid, a specific flash effect or an irregular dynamic effect can be achieved.

[0048] In another example, the three-dimensional structure settings can include but are not limited to the following properties or parameters:

[0049] The shape of the three-dimensional structure, such as the shape of a specific single three-dimensional structure, such as a pyramid shape, a bump shape, etc.;

[0050] The distribution of the three-dimensional structures, such as the distribution position, density, regularity, etc. of multiple three-dimensional structures;

[0051] Materials with a three-dimensional structure, including glass, PC (Polycarbonate), or any other light-transmitting material;

[0052] The light transmittance of the three-dimensional structure. For example, compared with a completely transparent material, some materials themselves have a certain degree of light shielding, which can bring a certain soft light effect; and

[0053] The color of the three-dimensional structure. For example, the material itself has a color, so that the transmitted light has a certain degree of coloration.

[0054] The attributes and parameters of the three-dimensional structure settings and liquid filling settings listed above are only examples. The combination of various attributes and parameters can bring different three-dimensional structure settings and different liquid filling settings. The combination of the three-dimensional structure settings and liquid filling settings further constitutes different light effects of the light effect adjustment device. In this way, multiple different light effect schemes can be provided, and even the desired light effect can be customized according to the needs of the user, such as customizing a light effect with a name, initials, a specific pattern, or a specific color.

[0055] In the above example, both the incident light and the reflected light pass through the liquid 102. However, it can be understood that only one of the incident light and the reflected light may pass through the liquid 102. In other words, as long as the liquid that generates the flowing light effect exists in the optical path, the flowing light effect can be generated. Similarly, the three-dimensional structure can also be set so that any one or both of the incident light and the reflected light pass through to generate a three-dimensional light effect.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light-transmitting housing of the light effect adjustment device 100 may have a tubular outer shape, and different light effects are provided in different regions through the combination of the above various light effect settings. For example, the light effect adjustment device 100 may have multiple regions in its length direction, and each region has the same or different light effects. This can be achieved by, for example, separating the internal space of the liquid container with an opaque partition perpendicular to the central axis of the liquid container and implementing different combinations of light effect settings in each space.

[0057] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the light effect adjustment device 100 may be configured to provide different light effects by rotating around its central axis. For example, there may be multiple partitions 108 in the space enclosed by the liquid container. The partitions extend radially around the central rotation axis and divide the space enclosed by the liquid container into multiple light effect regions, and each light effect region may have a different light effect. The partitions may be opaque or substantially opaque so that the light effects between different light effect regions do not interfere with each other. In this embodiment, as Figure 5As shown, the light effect adjustment device 100 may further include a rotation control unit (not shown) for controlling the rotation of the liquid container 101 around its central rotation axis 105. In this embodiment, the reflection device 103 may be implemented as a specular reflection film provided on the inner wall of the liquid container housing or the partition plate in different partition intervals, so that after the light effect adjustment device 100 rotates to different positions, the specular reflection films in different partition intervals reflect the incident light entering the partition interval, thereby forming the corresponding light effect of the partition interval.

[0058] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the reflection device 103 may also be provided outside the liquid container 101, for example, provided in the form of a reflector near the bottom of the liquid container 101. Figure 6 The schematic diagram of the optical path in this configuration is shown. As Figure 6 shown, the light emitted by the light source may sequentially pass through the upper part of the light-transmitting housing of the liquid container 101, the liquid 102, and the lower part of the housing, and then be reflected by the reflection device 103. The reflected light then sequentially passes through the lower part of the light-transmitting housing, the liquid 102, and the upper part of the housing, and finally forms an ambient light effect. It can be understood that Figure 6 the optical path shown is only an example, and other optical paths can be designed. For example, the incident light may not pass through the liquid container 101 at all, but only pass through the liquid container 101 and the liquid 102 therein after being reflected by the reflection device 103.

[0059] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an ambient light system 200 for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 7 shown, the ambient light system 200 may include an ambient light 201 and a light effect adjustment device 100. The ambient light 201 can be any existing ambient light that can be used in a vehicle. As an example, the shape of the ambient light 201 may be strip-shaped, and it has a plurality of light-emitting lamp beads, such as LED lamps. For simplicity of description, it is assumed that the ambient light 201 is set to emit light mainly in one direction.

[0060] The light effect adjustment device 100 can be the light effect adjustment device described as Figures 4-6 above, and in order to adapt to the ambient light 201, it may have a similar length. The light effect adjustment device 100 is arranged in the light-emitting direction of the ambient light 201, so that all or at least part of the light emitted by the ambient light 201 enters the light effect adjustment device 100, and after being reflected by the reflection device of the light effect adjustment device 100, it is then transmitted outward and projected at the position where the ambient light effect is desired to be presented, thereby obtaining an adjusted light effect. As a non-limiting example, as Figure 8AAs shown in [the figure], the light effect adjustment device 100 can be arranged on the door armrest, and the ambient light 201 can be arranged at a position on the vehicle roof near the door and above the door armrest. After the light emitted by the ambient light 201 is reflected by the light effect adjustment device 100, the light effect (such as dynamic and three-dimensional light effects) is projected onto the door beside the door armrest.

[0061] As another example, as Figure 8B shown in [the figure], the ambient light 201 can also be installed at other positions, for example, at the junction of the door and the armrest. The light can be emitted outward in a direction that is substantially horizontal and then enter the light effect adjustment device 100. The reflection device 103 in the light effect adjustment device 100 is arranged at an angle with the horizontal direction, so as to reflect the light onto the door and form a projected light effect.

[0062] As yet another example, as Figure 8C shown in [the figure], the ambient light 201 and the light effect adjustment device 100 can be arranged in the map pocket of the door, generating a similar ambient light effect at a position on the door between the map pocket and the armrest. From the above examples of the ambient light system, compared with the transmissive dynamic light effect adjustment device in the prior art, the present disclosure provides a reflective dynamic light effect adjustment device, which makes the installation position relationship between the light source and the light effect adjustment device more flexible. Especially when the light effect adjustment device is configured with a rotation control unit and can rotate, the same light effect adjustment device only needs to be rotated after being installed in place to control the reflected light effect to be projected to the desired position, which significantly increases the flexibility. In addition, it is further conceivable to support a light effect adjustment device that supports both transmission and reflection, for example, by different structures in different regions, and this structure can also allow a light effect adjustment device to support multiple light sources. For example, one light source uses the transmissive part of the light effect adjustment device to generate a first light effect, while another light source uses the reflective part of the light effect adjustment device to generate a second light effect. The first light effect and the second light effect can be realized as superimposed, combined, or alternating, so as to generate a richer and more interesting ambient light effect.

[0063] Figure 9 is a schematic logic structure diagram of a vehicle 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As Figure 9 shown in [the figure], the vehicle 300 may include: one or more ambient lights 201, and if necessary, a light effect adjustment device 100 may be provided for one or more of the ambient lights to form an ambient light effect through reflection.

[0064] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the vehicle 300 may further include an ambient light effect control unit 302 for controlling one or both of the ambient light 201 and the light effect adjustment device 100 to provide different ambient light effects. For example, in addition to controlling the light effect adjustment device 100 to provide different light effects, the color of the light emitted by the ambient light 201 may also be adjusted to provide different color light effects. In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the ambient light effect control unit 302 may be configured to provide different ambient light effects according to the state of the vehicle 300, including different color light effects, static light effects, dynamic light effects, and any combination thereof. The state of the vehicle 300 may include, but is not limited to, vehicle speed, driving mode, music played in the vehicle, the external environment of the vehicle, and the like. In addition, the ambient light effect control unit 302 may also be configured to switch between different light effects according to an instruction from a vehicle user.

[0065] The foregoing has described examples of aspects of the claimed subject matter. Of course, it is not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methods for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art should recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to cover all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An optical effect adjustment device (100) for an ambient light, comprising: A liquid container (101) having a light-transmitting outer shell, wherein the liquid container (101) is filled with a liquid (102), and the volume of the liquid (102) is less than the volume of the liquid container (101); and A reflection device (103) for reflecting incident light from a light source outside the optical effect adjustment device (100) to form reflected light, wherein at least one of the incident light and the reflected light passes through the liquid container (101) and the liquid (102).

2. The light effect adjusting device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reflection device (103) is disposed inside the liquid container (101).

3. The light effect adjustment device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reflection device (103) is disposed outside the liquid container (101).

4. The light effect adjusting device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The optical effect of the optical effect adjustment device (100) is adjusted by the liquid filling arrangement of the filled liquid (102), and the liquid filling arrangement includes one or more of the following: The material of the liquid (102); The volume ratio of the filled liquid (102) in the area it occupies; The light transmittance of the liquid (102); The color of the liquid (102); and The number and shape of sequins placed in the liquid (102).

5. The light effect adjusting device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least a part of the outer shell surface of the liquid container (101) has a plurality of three-dimensional structures (104) for providing a light refraction effect.

6. The light effect adjusting device (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The optical effect of the optical effect adjustment device (100) is adjusted by the three-dimensional structure arrangement of the three-dimensional structures (104), and the three-dimensional structure arrangement includes one or more of the following: The shape of the three-dimensional structure (104); The distribution of the three-dimensional structures (104); The material of the three-dimensional structure (104); The light transmittance of the three-dimensional structure (104); And The color of the three-dimensional structure (104).

7. The light effect adjusting device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The optical effect adjustment device (100) has a plurality of regions in its length direction, and each region has the same or different optical effects.

8. The light effect adjusting device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid container (101) is in a tubular or strip shape, and the optical effect adjustment device (100) further includes a rotation control unit (105) for controlling the rotation of the liquid container (101) around its central rotation axis (106).

9. An ambient light system (200) for a vehicle, comprising: An ambient light (201); And The optical effect adjustment device (100) according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the light emitted by the ambient light (201) at least partially enters the optical effect adjustment device (100) and is reflected by the reflection device (103) of the optical effect adjustment device (100) to form an optical effect.

10. The ambient light system (200) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The ambient light (201) is configured to emit light of different colors.

11. A vehicle (300), comprising: One or more ambient lights (201); And One or more optical effect adjustment devices (100) according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the light emitted by the ambient light (201) at least partially enters the optical effect adjustment device (100) and is reflected by the reflection device (103) of the optical effect adjustment device (100) to form an optical effect.

12. The vehicle (300) according to claim 11, characterized in that, The vehicle (300) further includes an ambient lighting effect control unit (302), and the ambient lighting effect control unit (302) is configured to control one or both of the ambient light (201) and the light effect adjustment device (100) to provide different ambient lighting effects.

13. The vehicle (300) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The ambient lighting effect control unit (302) is configured to provide different ambient lighting effects according to the state of the vehicle (300).

14. The vehicle (300) according to claim 13, characterized in that, The state of the vehicle (300) includes at least one of the following: The vehicle speed of the vehicle (300); The driving mode of the vehicle (300); The music played in the vehicle (300); and The environment outside the vehicle (300).

15. The vehicle (300) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The ambient lighting effect control unit (302) is configured to switch between different light effects according to an instruction from a user of the vehicle (300).

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