Indirect lighting device with light guide for use in train carriages

Abstract

An indirect lighting device with a light guide for a vehicle interior is disclosed, comprising: a light source; a light guide that transmits light from the light source; a housing in which the light guide is housed, and the housing is mounted on the vehicle interior structure; and a slit formed in the vehicle interior structure, wherein at least a portion of the light guide can be inserted into the slit to be exposed to the outside, and the exposed portion is configured to face the front surface of the vehicle interior structure such that light from the light source is reflected from the front surface. Therefore, by integrating the lens and light guide into a single design, the number of parts is reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to an indirect lighting device with a light guide for a vehicle compartment, and more specifically, to an indirect lighting device with a light guide for a vehicle compartment configured to transmit light to the interior structure of the vehicle using a light guide having a free cross-section and to provide an illumination effect. Background Technology

[0002] Inside vehicles, a variety of lighting fixtures are installed to meet the emotional needs of users. These lighting fixtures are often referred to as ambient lighting.

[0003] As ambient lighting is increasingly used in vehicle interiors, the number of parts and manufacturing costs are also increasing. Existing ambient lighting designs suffer from the problem of being composed of numerous parts, leading to complex assembly processes and increased costs. To address this issue, it is necessary to develop a new technology that can reduce the number of parts and simplify the manufacturing process.

[0004] Existing technologies have limitations: the increased number of parts leads to increased costs, the assembly of many parts leads to decreased production efficiency, and the fixed shape of the light guide limits creative design.

[0005] Meanwhile, as prior art, Korean Patent No. 10-2684862 is cited. This patent discloses an ambient lighting system for enhancing aesthetics and enabling various colors and patterns in the interior and exterior lighting of a vehicle.

[0006] However, existing technologies have a problem: the manufacturing process is complex due to the presence of many components such as thin film layers and light distribution layers. Furthermore, this complexity also increases manufacturing costs.

[0007] Moreover, existing technology has a problem: the shape of the thin film layer and the light distribution layer is limited, which restricts the realization of various colors and patterns.

[0008] Existing technical documents

[0009] Patent documents

[0010] (Patent Document 1) Korean Patent No. 10-2684862 Summary of the Invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] This disclosure is conceived based on the above background, and one object of this disclosure is to provide a light guide technology with a free cross-section that can reduce manufacturing costs and simplify the assembly process of ambient lights for indirect lighting inside vehicles.

[0013] In particular, one object of this disclosure is to provide an ambient light that reduces the number of parts by designing the lens and light guide to be integrated with each other, and achieves various shapes and patterns through a free cross-section design, thereby ensuring convenience and accuracy during assembly.

[0014] The purpose of this disclosure is not limited to the foregoing, and other purposes not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0015] Technical solution

[0016] One embodiment is an indirect lighting device with a light guide for a vehicle compartment, comprising: a light source; a light guide for transmitting light from the light source; a housing in which the light guide is housed and the housing is mounted on the vehicle interior structure; and a slit formed in the vehicle interior structure, at least a portion of the light guide being insertable into the slit to be exposed to the outside, and the exposed portion being configured to face the front surface of the vehicle interior structure such that light from the light source is reflected from the front surface.

[0017] Meanwhile, the light guide may include: a body having a circular cross-section; and a protrusion protruding from the body and having a quadrilateral cross-section, and the protrusion can be inserted into and connected to the slit.

[0018] Furthermore, light diffusion processing can be performed on the exposed portion of the protrusion.

[0019] Meanwhile, the vehicle's internal structure may include: an upper structure; and a lower structure, which is connected to the lower part of the upper structure. The light guide can be housed in the lower structure, and the slit can open upwards so that light is directed upwards to the upper structure.

[0020] Alternatively, the vehicle interior structure may include: an upper structure; and a lower structure connected to the lower part of the upper structure, wherein the light guide can be housed in the upper structure, and the slit can open downwards to allow light to be directed down into the lower structure.

[0021] Additionally, at least some portions of the superstructure may include surfaces facing the substructure.

[0022] Beneficial effects

[0023] According to this disclosure, by designing the light guide lens and the light guide component to be integrated with each other, the manufacturing cost is reduced due to the decrease in the number of parts.

[0024] Furthermore, the free cross-section design allows for the creation of various shapes and patterns, thereby enhancing aesthetics and providing flexibility from a design perspective.

[0025] Moreover, by simplifying the assembly process and ensuring accuracy during assembly, it can improve production efficiency and prevent quality degradation due to assembly errors. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a view showing the housing and light guide of an indirect lighting device for a vehicle compartment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing an indirect lighting device with a light guide for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, even if the same elements are shown in different drawings, they will be referred to by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, in the following description of the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of known functions and constructions incorporated herein will be omitted where such detailed descriptions might make the subject matter of the disclosure considerably unclear.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a view showing the housing and light guide of an indirect lighting device for a vehicle compartment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view showing an indirect lighting device with a light guide for a carriage according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] As shown in the figure, an indirect lighting device 200 for a vehicle compartment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a light source, a light guide 210 configured to transmit light from the light source (not shown), a housing 220 housing the light guide 210 and mounted on a vehicle interior structure 100, and a slit 110 formed in the vehicle interior structure 100. The light guide 210 may be configured such that at least a portion of the light guide 210 is inserted into the slit 110 to be exposed to the outside, and the exposed portion is configured to face the front surface of the vehicle interior structure 100 so that light from the light source (not shown) is reflected from the front surface.

[0031] First, the interior structure 100 of the vehicle, on which an indirect lighting device 200 with a light guide is installed for the passenger compartment, will be described.

[0032] The vehicle interior structure 100 may include an upper structure 100a and a lower structure 100b. The lower structure 100b may be connected to the upper structure 100a to form the interior of the vehicle.

[0033] When the indirect lighting device 200 with light guide for the passenger compartment is located on a door panel, the upper structure 100a can be a decorative strip. Furthermore, the lower structure 100b can be a skin. Meanwhile, when the indirect lighting device 200 with light guide for the passenger compartment is located on the dashboard, the upper structure 100a can be the upper panel of the dashboard. The lower structure 100b can be the lower panel of the dashboard, including the glove box.

[0034] According to this disclosure, the light guide 210 can be configured such that it is housed in the upper structure 100a so that light can be directed to the lower structure 100b. Alternatively, the light guide 210 can be configured such that it is housed in the lower structure 100b so that light can be directed to the upper structure 100a.

[0035] The upper structure 100a and the lower structure 100b are connected to each other with a certain height difference, and can be formed such that at least some portions of the upper structure 100a face the front surface of the lower structure 100b. Alternatively, the upper structure 100a and the lower structure 100b can be formed such that at least some portions of the lower structure 100b face the front surface of the upper structure 100a.

[0036] An indirect lighting device 200 with a light guide for use in a vehicle compartment can be inserted into the vehicle interior structure 100 and can form some of the interior space of the vehicle. This disclosure employs an indirect lighting method that achieves indirect lighting by setting the light emission direction to the direction of the vehicle interior structure 100. Because light is reflected and diffused through the surface of the vehicle interior structure, this method can provide soft and uniform lighting.

[0037] The indirect lighting device 200 for a carriage according to the present disclosure may include a light source (not shown), a light guide 210, and a housing 220.

[0038] First, the light source (not shown) of the indirect lighting device 200 with a light guide for the passenger compartment is configured to have a light-emitting diode (LED) and to generate light and transmit the light to the light guide 210. The light source (not shown) is disposed within the vehicle's interior structure 100 and can provide maximum light intensity with minimal space. The light source (not shown) is controllable by connection to a printed circuit board (PCB). The light source (not shown) connected to the PCB may include a control system capable of achieving various colors and brightness levels. This control system can be adjusted by the user to suit the lighting environment. The light source (not shown) can be powered by the vehicle's internal power supply.

[0039] The light guide 210 can be made of polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), both of which are transparent materials. The light guide 210 of the indirect lighting device 200 with a light guide for use in a vehicle compartment can have a shape extending in the left-right direction. The light guide 210 can be configured to illuminate the interior space of the vehicle.

[0040] This disclosure relates to an indirect ambient lighting light, wherein at least some portions of a light guide 210 can be inserted into a slit 110 to be exposed to the outside, and the exposed portions are configured to face the front surface of the vehicle interior structure 100. Therefore, the light guide can be configured such that light from a light source (not shown) is reflected from the front surface of the vehicle interior structure 100.

[0041] Existing light guides 210 typically have a circular cross-section. However, the light guide 210 according to this disclosure may have a free cross-section instead of a circular cross-section. More specifically, the light guide 210 may include a body 211 having a circular cross-section and a protrusion 212 projecting from the body 211. For example, the light guide 210 may include a body 211 having a circular cross-section and a protrusion 212 projecting from the body 211 and having a quadrilateral cross-section.

[0042] Therefore, the overall cross-section of the light guide 210 can be formed as asymmetric.

[0043] This asymmetrical cross-sectional structure was designed with the optical transmission path and connection structure in mind, and allows for connection between the slit 110 and the housing 220.

[0044] The main body 211 refers to the portion housed within the housing 220. The main body 211 can be accommodated within a groove 221 extending laterally within the housing 220. The cross-section of the main body 211 can be circular. The main body 211 serves to transmit light from a light source (not shown).

[0045] A protrusion 212 protruding from the main body 211 can be inserted into the slit 110. One end of the protrusion 212 can be formed to extend through the slit 110 and expose the outside. In this case, the shape of the protrusion 212 can be formed to correspond to the shape of the slit 110. For example, when the slit 110 has two parallel surfaces, the protrusion 212 can be formed to have a quadrilateral cross-section so that the protrusion 212 can be inserted between the two surfaces. As another example, when the slit 110 has two parallel curved surfaces, the protrusion 212 can be formed to have an arcuate, elliptical, or curved cross-section corresponding to the curved surface.

[0046] The protrusion 212 can be configured such that one end faces the vehicle interior structure 100. Here, one end of the protrusion 212 can refer to the tip of the light-emitting part. Through the protrusion 212, light transmitted from a light source (not shown) can illuminate the vehicle interior structure 100.

[0047] Furthermore, a light diffusion treatment can be performed on the end of the protrusion 212. In this way, the uniformity of light is improved and glare is minimized without the need for a lens. The light diffusion treatment can use techniques such as fine-particle coatings, surface etching, or polymer diffusion films.

[0048] Meanwhile, the slit 110 can be formed in the vehicle interior structure 100. The slit 110 can be used as an opening into which the protrusion 212 of the light guide 210 is inserted.

[0049] The slit 110 can accommodate the protrusion 212 of the light guide 210. When the slit 110 is formed in the upper structure 100a, the light guide 210 can provide downward illumination. At the same time, when the slit 110 is formed in the lower structure 100b, the light guide 210 can provide upward illumination.

[0050] In addition, the slit 110 can be designed to prevent light from leaking to the outside and to concentrate it in the target area.

[0051] The housing 220 can accommodate the light guide 210. Furthermore, the housing 220 can be mounted on the vehicle interior structure 100. The housing 220 may include a recess 221 designed to accommodate the light guide 210 therein, and a snap-fit ​​portion 222 for securing it to the vehicle interior structure 100.

[0052] First, the groove 221 can be formed to open toward the slit 110. The groove can be formed such that when the main body 211 of the light guide 210 is received in the groove 221, the protrusion 212 connects to the slit 110. The groove 221 can be formed to open toward the vehicle interior structure 100. Therefore, light emitted through the slit 110 can be directed toward the vehicle interior structure 100.

[0053] In addition, the housing 220 may include a latching portion 222 for securing to the vehicle interior structure 100. The latching portion 222 has a shape that protrudes from the lower part of the housing 220 and may have a triangular cross-section.

[0054] The latching part 222 can engage with a portion of the vehicle interior structure 100 to connect with the vehicle interior structure 100. The latching part 222 can provide a retaining force so that the position of the housing 220 does not change due to vehicle vibration or impact.

[0055] According to embodiments of this disclosure having the above-described shape and structure, since lenses are not required, the number of parts is reduced through integrated design of the light guide, thus saving manufacturing costs. Furthermore, since various shapes and patterns can be achieved through free cross-sectional design, aesthetics are improved and design flexibility is provided. Moreover, by simplifying the assembly process and ensuring accuracy during assembly, production efficiency is improved and quality degradation due to assembly errors is prevented.

[0056] Although the elements of this disclosure are described as being integrated into a single element or operating as a single element, this disclosure is not necessarily limited to such forms. According to this disclosure, these elements may optionally be integrated into one or more elements and operate as one or more elements.

[0057] Although exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may be embodied in many different forms without departing from the technical concept of the present disclosure. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present disclosure. The scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Therefore, it should be understood that the above exemplary embodiments are illustrative in all respects and do not constitute a limitation on the present disclosure. The scope of protection of the present disclosure should be interpreted in accordance with the following claims, and all technical concepts within the equivalent scope thereof should be considered to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An indirect lighting device with a light guide for a train carriage, comprising: light source; The light guide element transmits light from the light source; A housing, in which the light guide is housed, and the housing is mounted on the vehicle's internal structure; as well as A slit, the slit being formed within the vehicle's internal structure. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the light guide is inserted into the slit to be exposed to the outside, and The exposed portion is configured to face the front surface of the vehicle's interior structure, such that light from the light source is reflected from the front surface.

2. The indirect lighting device with a light guide for a carriage according to claim 1, wherein, The light guide component includes: The main body, having a circular cross-section; and A protrusion, which protrudes from the body and has a quadrilateral cross-section, and The protrusion is inserted into and connected to the slit.

3. The indirect lighting device with a light guide for a carriage according to claim 2, wherein, In the protrusion, light diffusion treatment is performed on the portion of the protrusion exposed to the outside.

4. The indirect lighting device with a light guide for a carriage according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle's internal structure includes: Superstructure; and The lower structure is connected to the lower part of the upper structure. The light guide is housed within the lower structure, and The slit opens upwards, allowing light to be directed toward the upper structure.

5. The indirect lighting device with a light guide for a carriage according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle's internal structure includes: Superstructure; and The lower structure is connected to the lower part of the upper structure. The light guide is housed within the upper structure, and The slit opens downwards, allowing light to be directed toward the lower structure.

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