Covering part, method for homogenizing light intensity of at least two light conductors, and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover part, in particular for a vehicle, comprising at least one decorative layer (16) having at least two light conductors (24), into which light can be coupled, each light guide (24) has n first light exit regions (30a) in a visible region (30) of the decorative layer for emitting the coupled light rays and n second light exit regions (30b) in an invisible region (32) of the decorative layer for emitting the coupled light rays, the number of the first and second light exit regions (30a, 30b) of one light guide (24) is the same as the number of the first and second light exit regions (20a, 30b) of the other light guide (24), or the number of the first and second light exit regions (30a, 30b) of one light guide (24) is slightly smaller than or greater than the number of the first and second light exit regions (30a, 30b) of the other light guide (24). The invention also relates to a method for homogenizing the light intensity of at least two light conductors (24) which can be processed into a decorative layer (16) of such a cover part; the invention further relates to a vehicle having at least one such covering part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a covering component, in particular a covering component for a vehicle, comprising at least one decorative layer having at least two light conductors into which light can be coupled, each light conductor having n first light exit areas in a visible region of the decorative layer for emitting the coupled light. The present invention also relates to a method for homogenizing the light intensity of at least two light conductors, the light conductors being able to be incorporated into the decorative layer of such a covering component, and a vehicle having at least one such covering component. Background Art

[0002] For aesthetic reasons, vehicle interiors are often covered. For this purpose, textile coverings with light conductors are increasingly being used. These light conductors illuminate the textile, thus creating additional optical effects in the interior. The light conductors are woven into the textile, bundled, and connected to a light source, such as an LED module.

[0003] A light source injects light into each individual optical fiber, and the light propagates axially within the interior of the optical fiber, such as in the case of glass fibers. The light, visible in the fabric, emerges radially from the optical fiber. Light can be emitted from the optical fiber in two different ways. In the first approach, the light is emitted radially along the entire length of the fiber. Such optical fibers are known as "side-lit optical fibers."

[0004] An example of an illumination fabric with "side-lighting optical fibers" is disclosed in DE 10 2013 202 715 A1. This illumination fabric includes at least one layer consisting of warp and weft yarns. At least one light source couples light into the illumination fabric at the end, and the light emerges from the illumination fabric at an angle to the longitudinal extension direction of the light-guiding elements, such as the yarns. To achieve more targeted reflection of the light, the light-outcoupling structure includes distributed reflector elements, which are attached to at least one side of the surface of the illumination fabric and connected to the light-guiding elements, such as the yarns, of the illumination fabric.

[0005] In the second variant, the light guide has a light-impermeable covering layer, also called a "coating," which prevents light from escaping along the entire length of the light guide, but only at the points where the covering layer has been removed. Removal of the covering layer is called activation and is usually carried out by mechanical processing, such as sandblasting, or by heat treatment, such as with a laser.

[0006] DE 10 2016 207 693 A1 discloses a method for producing a vehicle cover component. During the production of the cover component, multiple light conductors are woven into a decorative fiber layer. The material of the decorative fiber layer is then removed from the surface in specific decorative areas. The fibers of the decorative fiber layer are removed from the surface, and the light conductors are slightly and intentionally damaged, resulting in edge-lit sections. The light coupled into the light conductors can then be emitted from the edge-lit sections and, thus, illuminate the decorative object.

[0007] Because the light source couples the same amount of light into each light guide, the light intensity during activation is related to the number of activated light points per light guide, that is, the number of activated or removed surfaces. This means that patterns in the fabric that are not uniform across the board produce different numbers of light exit points and, therefore, an uneven light pattern. Consequently, some light points illuminate more strongly than others. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a covering element, a method and a vehicle which have a homogeneous light pattern.

[0009] To achieve this object, a covering component having the features of claim 1 , a method having the features of claim 8 , and a vehicle having the features of claim 10 are proposed.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the cover element and of the method are the subject matter of the respective dependent claims.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a covering component, in particular a covering component for a vehicle, is proposed. The covering component comprises at least one decorative layer, the decorative layer comprising at least two light conductors into which light can be coupled, each light conductor comprising n first light exit areas in a visible area of the decorative layer for emitting the coupled light, and n second light exit areas in a non-visible area of the decorative layer for emitting the coupled light, the number of the first and second light exit areas of one light conductor being the same as the number of the first and second light exit areas of the other light conductor, or the number of the first and second light exit areas of one light conductor being slightly smaller or larger than the number of the first and second light exit areas of the other light conductor.

[0012] The present invention is based on the concept that light exit areas or activation points cannot be added to the visible area of the decorative layer, as this would alter or eliminate the intended pattern. To compensate for uneven light intensity in a light conductor having a different number of first light exit areas in the visible area of the decorative layer, additional light exit areas are added to the invisible area of the decorative layer. Consequently, the number of first and second light exit areas of each light conductor is the same, or the number of first and second light exit areas of one light conductor is only slightly greater or less than that of the other light conductor. Consequently, despite the different number of first light exit areas, both light conductors have a uniform light intensity. This results in a cover element with a uniform light pattern.

[0013] For example, if one of the light conductors has 30 first light exit areas in the visible area of the decorative layer and the other light conductor has two first light exit areas in the visible area, to equalize the light intensity of the light conductors, 28 second light exit areas are added to the non-visible area of the decorative layer for the light conductor with two first light exit areas in the visible area. As a result, the light intensity of the two light exit areas in the visible area is set to the same level as that of the light conductor with 30 first light exit areas in the visible area.

[0014] At present, the visible area is understood to be the following area or the following side or the following surface of the decorative layer, which is visible in the installed state of the covering component. The visible area can also be referred to as the A surface, the visible side or the following surface. At present, the invisible area of the decorative layer is understood to be the following area or the following side or the following surface of the decorative layer, which is not visible in the installed state of the covering component. The invisible area can also be referred to as the B surface, the invisible side or the invisible surface. Thus, for example, a curved edge area or edge section of the decorative layer (which is not visible in the installed state of the decorative layer) and / or a protruding portion forms an invisible area of the decorative layer. The lower side of the optical waveguide, which faces away from the vehicle interior and is therefore not visible in the installed state of the covering component, can also form an invisible area.

[0015] “Slightly smaller or larger” within the meaning of the invention means that the sum of the first and second light exit areas of one optical waveguide differs from the sum of the first and second light exit areas of the other optical waveguide by no more than 5, in particular no more than 3.

[0016] In the sense of the present invention, n represents an integer from 0 to infinity. In the sense of the present invention, the light exit area can also be referred to as the light point, light exit point or active surface of the light conductor. In the sense of the present invention, the light conductor can also be referred to as an optical fiber.

[0017] The covering component can be used in the interior of a vehicle or in an exterior area of the vehicle. For example, the covering component can be used to cover interior components such as doors, dashboards, or center consoles, and / or exterior components such as bumpers or exterior mirrors. Furthermore, the covering component can be used to cover clothing or furniture components.

[0018] In one advantageous embodiment, the number of first light exit areas of each light conductor is different, and / or the number of second light exit areas of each light conductor is different. Therefore, if the number of first light exit areas in the visible area of the decorative layer is different, uneven light intensity between the light conductors can be compensated by providing second light exit areas in the non-visible area of the decorative layer.

[0019] Advantageously, the number of first light exit areas and second light exit areas corresponds to the sum of the first light exit areas and second light exit areas of one light guide. Thus, the sum of the first light exit areas and second light exit areas of one light guide is equal to, slightly smaller than, or greater than the sum of the first light exit areas and second light exit areas of another light guide.

[0020] In one advantageous embodiment, the decorative layer comprises a plurality of light conductors, each of which has the same number of first and second light exit areas, or each light conductor has a slightly different number of first and second light exit areas. Consequently, all light conductors have the same light intensity and produce a uniform light pattern in the visible area of the decorative layer. "Slightly different" within the meaning of the present invention means that the sums produced by the first and second light exit areas of each light conductor differ slightly from one another, i.e., differ by no more than 5, in particular, by no more than 3.

[0021] In one advantageous embodiment, each light conductor is coated with a light-impermeable layer, and the first and second light exit regions are produced by locally removing and / or damaging the light-impermeable layer. The local removal of the light-impermeable layer creates active surfaces from which light can exit the light conductor, in particular in a diffuse and / or radial manner. The local removal and / or damage of the light-impermeable layer can be performed by sandblasting and / or laser.

[0022] In one advantageous embodiment, the decorative layer is configured as a textile layer, wherein the light conductor is woven into the textile layer. Advantageously, the textile layer is composed of warp and weft yarns. It is also advantageous if the light conductor is woven into the textile layer such that the first light exit area is arranged in a visible area of the decorative layer configured as a textile layer, and the second light exit area is arranged in a non-visible area of the decorative layer configured as a textile layer.

[0023] In an advantageous embodiment, the light conductor is woven into the textile layer as warp and / or weft threads.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the first light exit area and / or the second light exit area are of the same size or of different sizes. The light intensity of the light guide can also be set by the size of the light exit areas.

[0025] In one advantageous embodiment, multiple optical waveguides are combined into a bundle and connected to a light source. The bundled optical waveguides can be surrounded by a flexible tube, known as a "tentacle." The bundled optical waveguides can be provided with an optical coupling-in area, known as a ferrule, at their ends. The light source is connected via this optical coupling-in area, and the light is coupled into the optical waveguide via this optical coupling-in area. The ferrule can be sealed at its free end with adhesive. The light source can be a light module, in particular an LED light module.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for homogenizing the light intensity of at least two light conductors that can be incorporated into a decorative layer of a cover element according to the present invention is proposed. In this method, light conductors are first provided. Subsequently, n first light exit areas are introduced into each light conductor, such that the first light exit areas are arranged in a visible area of the decorative layer, in particular to generate a light pattern. Subsequently, n second light exit areas are introduced into at least one of the light conductors, such that the second light exit areas are arranged in a non-visible area of the decorative layer, and the number of first and second light exit areas of the light conductor at least corresponds to the number of first light exit areas of the other light conductor, or the number of first and second light exit areas of one light conductor is slightly smaller or larger than the number of first and second light exit areas of the other light conductor.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, in order to homogenize the light intensity of each optical waveguide, n second light exit areas are introduced into all optical waveguides, wherein the sum of the first and second light exit areas of each optical waveguide is the same, or the sums generated by the first and second light exit areas of each optical waveguide deviate slightly from or differ from each other.

[0028] In one advantageous embodiment, the first and / or second light exit regions are produced by locally removing and / or damaging a layer surrounding the optical waveguide. The surrounding layer is a light-impermeable layer. The surrounding layer can be removed using a laser and / or sandblasting. Light coupled into the optical waveguide exits the light exit regions in a scattered and / or radial manner.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is proposed which has at least one covering element according to the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The vehicle, the cover element, the method for homogenizing the light intensity of an optical fiber, and other features and advantages are explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments schematically illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 A vehicle is shown having a door with a covering member;

[0032] Figure 2 An enlarged front view of a cover element is shown, which has a decorative layer designed as a textile layer, into which the light conductor is woven;

[0033] Figure 3 Display button Figure 2 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a textile layer having at least one woven-in optical fiber according to a first embodiment;

[0034] Figure 4 Display with light exit area Figure 3 An enlarged cross-sectional view of a light conductor;

[0035] Figure 5 Display with first and second light exit areas Figure 2 A perspective view of two light conductors of a fabric layer;

[0036] Figure 6 Display has Figure 5 A schematic front view of a decorative layer of a light guide body, which is bent at the edge for installation in a cover part; and

[0037] Figure 7 An enlarged cross-section of a light guide according to a second embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] exist Figure 1 , a vehicle 10 is shown having a vehicle door 12. The vehicle 10 has a drive machine designed as an internal combustion engine and / or as an electric motor.

[0039] The door 12 has Figure 2 , with a decorative layer 16. The decorative layer 16 has a visible region 32 facing the interior of the vehicle 10 in the installed state of the covering component 14 and a non-visible region 34 facing away from the interior in the installed state of the covering component 14. The non-visible region 32 of the decorative layer 16 is in this case an edge section of the decorative layer 16 which is bent for installation in the covering component 14 and is therefore not visible in the installed state, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 Schematic description.

[0040] The decorative layer 16 is a fabric layer 18, which is composed of warp yarns 20 and weft yarns 22 woven together. Figure 3 and 5Furthermore, light conductors 24 are woven into the fabric layer 18 as weft threads 22, which generate a light pattern in the fabric layer 18. It is also conceivable that the light conductors 24 are woven into the fabric layer as warp threads 20 or as warp threads 20 and as weft threads 22.

[0041] Each optical fiber 24 has a light channel 26 into which light is coupled at the end via a light source (not shown), as in Figure 4 Depicted by arrows.

[0042] The light channel 26 is surrounded by a light-impermeable layer 28, which is referred to as a coating. By locally removing and / or damaging the light-impermeable layer 28, for example by means of a laser and / or sandblasting, first and second light exit regions 30a, 30b, which can also be referred to as activated surfaces, are produced. In the region of the first and second light exit regions 30a, 30b, the light coupled into the light channel 26 exits the light conductor 24 in a scattered manner, as in the case of Figure 4 Schematically described by arrows.

[0043] As in Figure 5 As can be seen in the figure, the light conductor 24 has a different number of first light exit areas 30a in the visible area 32 of the decorative layer 16 for generating a light pattern in the textile layer 18. Because the light source couples the same amount of light into each light conductor 24, a light conductor 24 with fewer first light exit areas 30 has a greater light intensity per first light exit area 30a than a light conductor 24 with more first light exit areas 30a. As a result, some first light exit areas 30 are illuminated more strongly than other first light exit areas 30a.

[0044] In order to compensate for the unevenness of the light intensity between the light conductors 24 having different numbers of first light exit areas 30a, it is necessary to compensate for the number of light exit areas. Since no further first light exit areas 30a can be added in the visible area of the decorative layer 16, since otherwise the intended light pattern would be changed or eliminated, second light exit areas 30b are added in the non-visible area 32 of the decorative layer 16, as in Figure 5 and 6 Visible in.

[0045] As in Figure 5 and 6 As shown in the example, one of the optical waveguides 24 has two first light exit regions 30a in the visible region 32 and the other optical waveguide 24 has six first light exit regions 30a in the visible region 32. In order to equalize the light intensity of the two optical waveguides 24, four second light exit regions 30b are added to the non-visible region 32, as shown in FIG. Figure 6Therefore, each optical waveguide 24 has the same number of light exit regions 30a, 30b.

[0046] exist Figure 7 , a second embodiment of a light guide 24 is shown, which differs from the first embodiment in that, for homogenizing the light intensity of the light guide 24 , a second light exit region 30 a is introduced into the underside 36 of the light guide 24 and thus into the non-visible region 32 of the decorative layer 16 .

[0047] The cover element 14 is characterized in that the light intensity is homogenized between the light conductors 24 by adding a second light exit region 30 b in the non-visible region 32 of the decorative layer 16 in order to compensate for the light intensity level of the light conductors 24 .

[0048] Reference Signs List

[0049] 10 vehicles

[0050] 12 doors

[0051] 14 Covering parts

[0052] 16 Decorative layer

[0053] 18 fabric layers

[0054] 20 warp yarns

[0055] 22 Weft

[0056] 24 Photoconductor

[0057] 26 optical channels

[0058] 28 opaque layer

[0059] 30a First light emitting area

[0060] 30b Second light emitting area

[0061] 32 Viewing area

[0062] 34 Invisible Area

[0063] 36 lower side

Claims

1. A covering component (14), in particular a covering component for a vehicle (10), comprising at least one decorative layer (16), the decorative layer comprising at least two optical waveguides (24), into each of which light can be coupled, each optical waveguide (24) comprising n first light exit areas (30a) for emitting the coupled light in a visible area (32) of the decorative layer (16) and n second light exit areas (30b) for emitting the coupled light in a non-visible area (34) of the decorative layer (16), the number of the first and second light exit areas (30a, 30b) of one optical waveguide (24) being the same as the number of the first and second light exit areas (30a, 30b) of the other optical waveguide (24), or the number of the first and second light exit areas (30a, 30b) of one optical waveguide (24) being slightly smaller or larger than the number of the first and second light exit areas (30a, 30b) of the other optical waveguide (24).

2. The covering member (14) according to claim 1, characterized in that The number of first light exit regions (30a) of each optical waveguide (24) is different, and / or the number of second light exit regions (30b) of each optical waveguide (24) is different.

3. The covering member (14) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The decorative layer (16) has a plurality of light conductors (24), the number of first and second light exit areas (30a, 30b) of each light conductor (24) being the same, or the number of first and second light exit areas (30a, 30b) of each light conductor (24) being slightly different from each other.

4. The covering element (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that Each optical fiber (24) is wrapped with a light-impermeable layer (28), and the first and second light exit regions (30a, 30b) are produced by locally removing and / or damaging the light-impermeable layer (28).

5. The covering element (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The decorative layer (16) is designed as a textile layer (18) into which the light conductors (24) are woven.

6. The covering member according to claim 5, wherein: The light conductor (24) is woven into the fabric layer (18) as warp and / or weft threads.

7. The covering element (14) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A plurality of light conductors (24) are combined into a bundle and connected to a light source.

8. A method for homogenizing the light intensity of at least two light conductors (24), which can be incorporated into a decorative layer (16) of a cover element (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising the following steps: a. Providing each light conductor (24); b. introducing n first light exit regions (30a) into each optical fiber (24) so that each first light exit region (30a) is disposed in a visible region (33) of the decorative layer (16); and c. introducing n second light exit areas (30b) into at least one light conductor among the light conductors (24), so that each second light exit area (30b) is arranged in the invisible area (34) of the decorative layer (16), and the number of the first and second light exit areas (30a, 30b) of the light conductor (24) at least corresponds to the number of the first light exit areas (30a) of the other light conductor (24), or the number of the first and second light exit areas (30a, 30b) of one light conductor (24) is slightly smaller or larger than the number of the first and second light exit areas (30a, 30b) of the other light conductor (24).

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that The first light exit region and / or the second light exit region (30a, 30b) are produced by locally removing and / or damaging a layer (28) enveloping the optical fiber (24).

10. A vehicle (10) having at least one covering component (14) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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