Vehicle lighting structure using optical fiber and vehicle including the same

Abstract

The present application relates to a vehicle lighting structure using optical fiber and a vehicle comprising the same, the vehicle lighting structure comprising: a light-emitting fabric interwoven by at least one optical fiber and fabric fibers; at least one light source connected to at least one end face of the at least one optical fiber; wherein the optical fiber has a core and a skin wrapping the core, and at least one recess is arranged on the outer surface of the skin. The vehicle lighting structure has improved lighting effect, can be bent in an acute angle form, can be flexibly adapted to various complex shapes in the vehicle, and does not need a complex preparation mold.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of vehicle lighting, and more specifically to a vehicle lighting structure utilizing optical fibers and a vehicle including the same. Background Technology

[0002] Optical fibers, with their advantages of being non-conductive, lightweight, high-capacity, resistant to high temperatures and electromagnetic radiation, flexible, and easy to use, demonstrate unique strengths in automotive lighting systems. Modern automotive lighting systems can be broadly categorized into lighting devices and signaling devices, with lighting devices further subdivided into exterior lighting and interior lighting. Optical fiber lighting technology is applied in both of these categories.

[0003] Fiber optic lighting technology is based on the principle of total internal reflection, utilizing fiber optic materials to transmit light over long distances. In existing technologies, to increase light intensity and coverage, multiple fiber optic fibers are typically fixed together, and then wrapped with a light-diffusing material. This material alters the light propagation path, diffusing the light within the material to achieve uniform light distribution and diffused emission.

[0004] However, existing fiber optic lighting technology has certain limitations in achieving lighting effects. These limitations are mainly reflected in: static and singular lighting effects, unable to form specific text or small-area patterns; the need for expensive molds; the inability to bend at sharp angles; and the structure of multiple fiber optic fibers bundled together, making it difficult to flexibly adapt to application scenarios with complex shapes. To overcome these limitations, future fiber optic lighting technology needs to innovate and optimize in areas such as light source control, fiber optic structure, and layout.

[0005] The information disclosed in this background section of the present invention is only intended to enhance the understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the limitations of the prior art and provide a vehicle lighting structure using optical fibers that has improved lighting effects and can flexibly adapt to complex shapes.

[0007] The present invention relates to a vehicle lighting structure, the vehicle lighting structure comprising: a light-emitting fabric and at least one light source, the light-emitting fabric being woven from at least one optical fiber and fabric fibers, the light source being connected to at least one end face of the at least one optical fiber; wherein, the optical fiber has a core and a sheath covering the core, and at least one recess is provided on the outer surface of the sheath.

[0008] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fabric fibers are selected from transparent fabric fibers, opaque fabric fibers, or combinations thereof.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the core material of the optical fiber is selected from polymethyl methacrylate, glass, or a combination thereof, and the sheath material of the optical fiber is selected from fluoropolymer, polyethylene, or a combination thereof.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the refractive index of the core is greater than that of the skin.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of the recess is selected from a semi-circle, a V-shape, a rectangle, a trapezoid, or a combination thereof.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the depth of the recess is less than the thickness of the skin.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are multiple recesses, which are distributed on the surface of the luminescent fabric in a manner that forms a specific pattern.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there are multiple light sources, which are connected to one or both end faces of multiple optical fibers.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, multiple light sources emit light simultaneously or sequentially.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle lighting structure further includes a front trim frame, an upper cover, a lower cover, and a rear cover, wherein the luminescent fabric is assembled into the space defined by the front trim frame, the upper cover, the lower cover, and the rear cover by means of a spool and screws.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle lighting structure further includes a front trim frame, to which the luminescent fabric is assembled via an adhesive portion.

[0018] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an external lens and a touch panel are respectively provided on both sides of the luminescent fabric.

[0019] The present invention also relates to a vehicle including a vehicle lighting structure according to the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The above-mentioned and other features of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, which are given illustratively only and therefore do not limit the invention, wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 A plan view of a luminescent fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0022] Figure 2a A cross-sectional view of the first segment of the optical fiber of the present invention and a schematic diagram of the optical transmission path are shown.

[0023] Figure 2b A cross-sectional view and a schematic diagram of the light transmission path of the second segment of the optical fiber of the present invention are shown.

[0024] Figure 3a A schematic diagram of the light source configuration of a luminescent fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0025] Figure 3b A schematic diagram of the light source configuration of a luminescent fabric according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0026] Figure 4a The image shows the effect of a luminescent fabric before and after being lit up according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4b The image shows the effect of the luminescent fabric before and after being lit up according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5a An assembly schematic diagram of a vehicle lighting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0029] Figure 5b An assembly schematic diagram of a vehicle lighting structure according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0030] Figure 6a The image shows the effect of a vehicle lighting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention after it is illuminated.

[0031] Figure 6b The diagram shows the effect of a vehicle lighting structure after being illuminated according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the combination of luminescent fabric and hidden touch switch according to the present invention is shown.

[0033] It is understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and show, to some extent, simplified representations of various features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. Specific design features of the invention disclosed herein (including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes) will be determined in part by the specific intended application and environment of use.

[0034] In the accompanying drawings, reference numerals throughout the various figures refer to the same or equivalent parts of the invention.

[0035] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0036] 100: Luminous fabric

[0037] 110: Optical fiber

[0038] 120: Fabric fiber

[0039] 111: Optical fiber core

[0040] 112: Optical fiber sheath

[0041] 113: concave part

[0042] 130: Light source

[0043] 141: Rear cover body

[0044] 142: Lower cover body

[0045] 143: Upper cover body

[0046] 144: Front trim frame

[0047] 150: Scroll

[0048] 151: Screw

[0049] 160: Adhesive section

[0050] 170: External lens

[0051] 180: Touch panel Detailed Implementation

[0052] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. Although the invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood that this specification is not intended to limit the invention to these exemplary embodiments. Rather, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments thereof, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0053] The invention will be more clearly understood through the following exemplary embodiments presented. However, the invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein and can be modified in different forms. These embodiments are provided to thoroughly explain the invention and fully convey its spirit to those skilled in the art.

[0054] Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals will refer to the same or similar components. For clarity of the invention, the dimensions of the structures are depicted as larger than their actual dimensions. It should be understood that although terms such as "first" and "second" may be used herein to describe the various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a "first" component discussed below may be referred to as a "second" component without departing from the scope of the invention. Similarly, a "second" component may also be referred to as a "first" component. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0055] It will also be understood that, as used in this specification, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," etc., indicate the presence of the stated features, values, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, values, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, it will be understood that when a component (e.g., a layer, film, region, or sheet) is referred to as being "on" another component, it may be directly on the other component, or there may be an intermediate component intervening between them. Similarly, when a component (e.g., a layer, film, region, or sheet) is referred to as being "under" another component, it may be directly under the other component, or there may be an intermediate component intervening between them.

[0056] Unless otherwise stated, all figures, numerical values, and / or expressions used herein to represent the amounts of components, reaction conditions, polymer compositions, and mixtures should be considered approximations that include various uncertainties (particularly those inherent in obtaining these values ​​and affecting the measurements), and therefore should be understood to be modified by the term "about" in all cases. Furthermore, when numerical ranges are disclosed in this specification, unless otherwise stated, the range is continuous and includes all values ​​from the minimum to the maximum of the range. Additionally, when such ranges involve integer values, unless otherwise stated, all integers from the minimum to the maximum value will be included.

[0057] Figure 1 A plan view of a luminescent fabric according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 1 As shown, the luminescent fabric 100 includes optical fibers 110 and fabric fibers 120, which are interwoven to form a sheet-like luminescent fabric 100. Figure 1 The optical fiber 110 and fabric fiber 120 shown are interwoven in a plain weave, but it should be understood that the interweaving method is not limited to this, and twill weave, satin weave, etc., which are known to those skilled in the art can also be used.

[0058] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Cross-sectional views of the first segment and the second segment of the optical fiber of the present invention and schematic diagrams of the light transmission path are shown respectively. It should be noted that the term "first segment" as used herein refers to the segment of the optical fiber 110 without the recess 113, while "second segment" refers to the segment of the optical fiber 110 with the recess 113. The terms "first" and "second" are used only for distinguishing purposes and can be used interchangeably.

[0059] like Figure 2a As shown, the first segment of the optical fiber 110 has a core 111 and a sheath 112 enclosing the core 111. The refractive index of the core 111 is greater than that of the sheath 112. When light from a light source enters from one end face of the optical fiber 110, depending on the angle of incidence φ at the end face, the light entering the core 111 will be refracted or totally internally reflected at the interface between the core 111 and the sheath 112, thus zigzagging along the optical fiber 110. Figure 2b As shown, the second segment of the optical fiber 110 has a core 111, a sheath 112 enclosing the core 111, and at least one recess 113 disposed on the outer surface of the sheath 112. The cross-sectional shape of the recess 113 is shown as semi-circular, but it can also be V-shaped, rectangular, trapezoidal, or a combination thereof, and is not limited thereto. The depth of the recess 113 is less than the thickness of the sheath 112. Unlike the first segment, when light from a light source enters from one end face of the optical fiber 110 and reaches the position of the recess 113, that portion of the light is concentrated and emitted from the recess 113, thereby forming a bright spot on the surface of the optical fiber 110. Light that does not reach the recess 113 still undergoes refraction or total internal reflection at the interface between the core 111 and the sheath 112, depending on the size of the incident angle, and thus travels in a zigzag pattern along the optical fiber 110.

[0060] Figure 3a and Figure 3b Schematic diagrams showing the light source configurations of the luminescent fabrics according to two embodiments of the present invention are provided. Figure 3a As shown, multiple light sources 130 are disposed at one end face of multiple optical fibers 110, wherein the multiple optical fibers 110 can share one light source 130; as Figure 3b As shown, multiple light sources 130 are disposed at both end faces of multiple optical fibers 110, wherein the multiple optical fibers 110 may share one or two light sources 130. By disposing multiple light sources 130 at both end faces of multiple optical fibers 110, higher illumination brightness and richer dynamic color mixing illumination effects can be achieved.

[0061] Figure 4aThe diagram shows the effect of a luminescent fabric before (left) and after (right) illumination according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, opaque fabric fibers 120 are used, and no recesses are provided on the sheath 112 of the optical fiber 110. After the light source is turned on, the light entering the core 111 of the optical fiber 110 is refracted or totally internally reflected at the interface between the core 111 and the sheath 112. Because the fabric fibers 120 are opaque and block light, the portion of each optical fiber 110 covered by the opaque fabric fibers 120 cannot emit light. Therefore, the luminescent fabric emits light in a specific pattern according to its specific weave.

[0062] Figure 4b The diagram shows the effect of a luminescent fabric before (left) and after (right) illumination, according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, transparent fabric fibers 120 are used, and no recesses are provided on the sheath 112 of the optical fiber 110. When the light source is turned on, the light entering the core 111 of the optical fiber 110 is refracted or totally reflected at the interface between the core 111 and the sheath 112. Because the fabric fibers 120 are transparent and cannot block the light, the luminescent fabric exhibits an overall luminescent appearance.

[0063] Figure 5a A schematic diagram of the assembly of a vehicle lighting structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the vehicle lighting structure further includes a front trim frame 144, an upper cover 143, a lower cover 142, and a rear cover 141. The front trim frame 144, upper cover 143, lower cover 142, and rear cover 141 are assembled together by screws or snap-fits to form a space for accommodating a luminous fabric 100. The luminous fabric 100, wound on a roller 150, is unwound from the roller 150 and extends along the direction of the rear cover 141, while the luminous fabric 100 is attached to the side of the rear cover 141 facing the front trim frame 144 by screws, thereby assembling the luminous fabric 100 into the space defined by the front trim frame 144, upper cover 143, lower cover 142, and rear cover 141. This embodiment employs a precisely positioned assembly structure, ensuring accurate and secure positioning.

[0064] Figure 5b A schematic diagram of the assembly of a vehicle lighting structure according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the vehicle lighting structure further includes a front trim frame 144, which is glued to the edge of the luminescent fabric 100 by providing an adhesive portion 160. This embodiment uses an adhesive method for fixation, which is simple to assemble, has fewer components, and occupies less space.

[0065] Figure 6a and Figure 6bThe images show the effect of the vehicle lighting structure after illumination according to two embodiments of the present invention. In both embodiments, the sheath 112 of the optical fiber 110 is provided with a plurality of recesses 113, which are distributed on the surface of the luminescent fabric 100 in a manner that forms a specific pattern. This results in brighter spots at the locations of the recesses 113 on the optical fiber 110 compared to locations without recesses 113 after the light source is turned on. These bright spots collectively form a specific pattern. Figure 6a The center features a letter pattern. Figure 6b (The center features a radiating pattern).

[0066] It is also conceivable that the multiple light sources 130 can emit light simultaneously or sequentially. When the multiple light sources 130 emit light simultaneously, the vehicle lighting structure of the present invention presents a static lighting effect with a specific pattern. When the multiple light sources 130 emit light sequentially in a predetermined order, the vehicle lighting structure presents a desired dynamic flowing lighting effect.

[0067] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the combination of luminescent fabric and concealed touch switch according to the present invention is shown. As shown, external lenses 170 and touch panels 180 are respectively provided on both sides of the luminescent fabric 100. Vehicle users can activate the vehicle lighting structure by touch. This embodiment provides a concealed luxury lighting effect while realizing the function of a touch switch.

[0068] The vehicle lighting structure according to the present invention can be used for vehicle ambient lighting, welcome lights, auxiliary position lights, etc.

[0069] By incorporating recesses in the optical fiber, the vehicle lighting structure of this invention can achieve a uniquely patterned lighting effect. Since multiple light sources can be activated simultaneously or sequentially as needed, the vehicle lighting structure of this invention can not only achieve static lighting with specific patterns but also desired flowing, breathing, or dynamic lighting, thus providing improved lighting performance. Because the optical fiber is used to create an extremely thin and flexible luminescent fabric, the vehicle lighting structure of this invention can be bent at acute angles, flexibly adapting to various complex shapes within the vehicle interior, without requiring complex manufacturing molds.

[0070] The effects of this invention are not limited to those described above. It should be understood that the effects of this invention include all effects that can be inferred from the description of this invention.

[0071] The above description illustrates specific exemplary embodiments of the invention for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations can be made in accordance with the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described to explain certain principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to implement and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the invention, as well as their various alternatives and modifications. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A vehicle lighting structure, comprising: A luminescent fabric (100) is formed by interlacing at least one optical fiber (110) and fabric fibers (120); At least one light source (130) is connected to at least one end face of at least one optical fiber (110); The optical fiber (110) has a core (111) and a sheath (112) that wraps the core (111), and at least one recess (113) is provided on the outer surface of the sheath (112).

2. The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein, The fabric fiber (120) is selected from transparent fabric fibers, opaque fabric fibers, or combinations thereof.

3. The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein, The core (111) material of the optical fiber (110) is selected from polymethyl methacrylate, glass, or a combination thereof, and the sheath (112) material of the optical fiber is selected from fluoropolymer, polyethylene, or a combination thereof.

4. The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein, The refractive index of the core (111) is greater than that of the skin (112).

5. The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein, The cross-sectional shape of the recess (113) is selected from a semi-circle, V-shape, rectangle, trapezoid or a combination thereof.

6. The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein, The depth of the recess (113) is less than the thickness of the skin (112).

7. The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein, The number of recesses (113) is multiple, and the multiple recesses (113) are distributed on the surface of the luminescent fabric (100) in a manner that forms a specific pattern.

8. The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein, The number of light sources (130) is multiple, and the multiple light sources (130) are connected to one or two end faces of multiple optical fibers (110).

9. The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein, Multiple light sources (130) emit light simultaneously or sequentially.

10. The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle lighting structure further includes a front trim frame (144), an upper cover (143), a lower cover (142), and a rear cover (141), wherein the luminous fabric (100) is assembled into the space defined by the front trim frame (144), the upper cover (143), the lower cover (142), and the rear cover (141) by a roller (150) and screws (151).

11. The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle lighting structure further includes a front trim frame (144), to which the luminescent fabric (100) is assembled via an adhesive portion (160).

12. The vehicle lighting structure according to claim 1, wherein, The luminescent fabric (100) has an external lens (170) and a touch panel (180) on both sides respectively.

13. A vehicle comprising a vehicle lighting structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images