Illumination device with faceted transmissive illumination of a luminary and use thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device, in particular for a passenger cell of a motor vehicle, having a light source, a translucent or transparent light body, which is illuminated by the light of the light source, having a facetted surface, and a housing, which is preconfigured with a receiving volume, the light body being partially received in the housing via an opening in the housing, such that the light body has an outer surface, which faces an observer, outside the receiving volume as a visible surface, wherein the outer surface comprises a plurality of facets as outer facets and forms an inner surface, the inner surface comprising a plurality of facets as inner facets arranged within the receiving volume of the housing, and the inner surface contains a light inlet window for the light of the light source into the light body, wherein at least two special facets of the inner surface, which adjoin one another in a common inner edge, are oriented relative to one another such that the inner edge is formed concavely in the inner surface of the light body, and to a related use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting device, particularly for the interior of motor vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] Current technologies include a variety of different lighting devices for the interiors of motor vehicles. This includes, in particular, ambient interior luminaires that emit light into the passenger compartment via light conductors and optionally vary their color and brightness. Additionally, there are direct-emitting interior luminaires, which serve as reading lights and generally include one or more light-emitting diodes as the light source. Lighting devices are also known in particular that generate a light distribution in the passenger compartment with light projections onto the interior surface via a light-emitting body formed of glass material (whose surface has crystal-cut sections). Typically, these projections are distributed as a series of separate light spots on the interior surface. These “glass crystals” generally have convex, i.e., slightly bulging facets. The cuts of the glass crystals are designed to maximize light reflection and refraction to produce a brilliant, shimmering effect. Aside from this visual reason, concave facets are also technically difficult to achieve. Because the edges of the facets must be very sharp, the mechanical cutting of concave facets requires special tools and precise control. Furthermore, this results in mechanical weakening of the structure of the light-emitting body, increasing the risk of breakage or cracking. The aforementioned drawbacks limit the possible applications of such lighting devices and, in particular, limit the adaptation of light distribution to variations in vehicle interior geometry. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Against this backdrop, the object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device, particularly for the interior of a motor vehicle, which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and improves the light distribution of the emitted light. This object is achieved by the lighting device according to claim 1. Equally advantageous uses are the subject matter of the parallel claims. Advantageous designs are the subject matter of the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features individually detailed in the claims can be combined with each other in any technically meaningful manner and demonstrate other designs of the invention. The description, in particular, is appended with the drawings to characterize and describe the invention in detail.

[0004] The lighting device according to the invention is particularly defined for the arrangement of passenger units in motor vehicles and includes a light source, a translucent or transparent light-emitting body with faceted surfaces illuminated by the light transmitted from the light source, and a housing. The light source is formed, for example, in a dotted manner relative to the size of the light-emitting body. The light source is, for example, a light-emitting diode, particularly an SMD (Surface Mount Device) light-emitting diode. The maximum size of the light-emitting surface of the light source is, for example, less than one-tenth the maximum size of the light-emitting body. The light-emitting body is preferably formed of a transparent or translucent plastic, particularly a thermoplastic. The housing (e.g., including a panel surrounding the light-emitting body) has a predetermined receiving volume, in which the light-emitting body is partially received through an opening in the housing, such that the light-emitting body forms an outer surface (as a visible surface) and an inner surface. The outer surface faces the observer, is located outside the receiving volume, and includes multiple facets of the light-emitting body. The inner surface is arranged within the receiving volume of the housing and includes multiple facets. The facets of the outer surface are also referred to as outer facets, and the facets of the inner surface are also referred to as inner facets. Depending on the arrangement of the light-emitting element and the housing or receiving volume, at least one facet can be locally classified as an inner facet and locally as an outer facet. The outer surface is, for example, designed to be domed. Each facet is understood as a continuous, flat, or at least uniformly curved sub-surface of the surface of the light-emitting element (also referred to as the total surface). The area of ​​each facet is, for example, less than one-tenth of the surface of the light-emitting element. According to the invention, the inner surface includes a light-entry window for allowing light from the light source to enter the light-emitting element.

[0005] According to the invention, at least two special facets of the inner surface that are adjacent to each other in the common inner edge are oriented relative to each other such that the inner edge is recessed in the inner surface of the light-emitting body. In other words, the special facets form an outer angle of less than 180°, preferably less than 160°, on the outer side of the light-emitting body on the inner edge.

[0006] Preferably, the light-gathering window is formed by at least one of the special facets of the inner surface.

[0007] In a preferred alternative design, the light-gathering window is formed outside the inner surface formed by the special facets.

[0008] Preferably, the outer facets forming the outer surface are adjacent to each other in a common outer edge, and these outer facets are oriented relative to each other such that the outer edge is formed prominently in the outer surface of the light-emitting body. In other words, the outer facets form an outer angle greater than 180°, preferably greater than 200°, on the outer edge of the light-emitting body.

[0009] Preferably, the facets (such as the outer facets and the inner facets) and the special facets are designed to be substantially flat and the inner and outer edges are designed to be substantially straight.

[0010] Preferably, the light emitter has a photoconductor segment integrally or material-fittedly connected to the substrate of the light emitter, the free end of the photoconductor segment forming the light-gathering window. The substrate and the photoconductor segment are connected to each other, for example, via an adhesive layer.

[0011] For example, in addition to the light-conducting window, the entire inner surface of the light-emitting body is provided with a reflective coating, such as an iridescent coating, a color-changing coating, or a mirror coating. The coating may be, for example, a metallic coating or a coating with an AB (“aurora”) effect color or an iridescent sheen. Alternatively, a reflective coating may be provided on separate inner facets of the inner surface.

[0012] Preferably, at least one of the special facets has the aforementioned reflective coating.

[0013] Preferably, at least those inner facets forming the inner surface that allow light from the light source to directly reach the light source after passing through the light-entry window (in the absence of prior internal reflection) have the aforementioned reflective coating. More preferably, at least a portion of the light is reflected multiple times by internal reflection at the reflective-coated inner facets of the inner surface, and then the light exits the light-emitting body through the outer surface.

[0014] Preferably, at least one of the special facets forms an internal reflective surface and is arranged such that light from the light source reaches this special facet without prior internal reflection.

[0015] Preferably, the light-gathering window and / or the light-emitting behavior of the light source are selected such that the light from the light source will not reach and leave the outer surface without internal reflection, so as to avoid the light source appearing at least not like a real light source to the observer (e.g., the occupant making the observation), so as not to dazzle the observer.

[0016] More preferably, the light-emitting behavior of the light-emitting body and / or the light source is selected such that when the light-emitting device is installed as intended in the interior of the motor vehicle, the light source does not appear to the observing occupant as a virtual light source in the intended seating position.

[0017] Preferably, the opening in the housing forms a boundary line separating the outer surface from the inner surface when projected vertically onto the surface of the light-emitting element, and the boundary line curves at least partially away from or towards the observer. For example, the boundary line described by the opening is not in a single plane.

[0018] Preferably, the lighting device according to the invention comprises at least two light-emitting elements, which are more preferably formed in the same shape and / or formed in a mirror-like manner relative to each other.

[0019] Preferably, in the case where the lighting device according to the invention comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in the same shape and / or mirror-reflected relative to each other, the light source or the plurality of light sources is arranged to produce a mirror-symmetrical light distribution within the light-emitting elements. Here, for example, the relative arrangement is preferably selected such that the main emission direction of the light source is parallel to the mirror or central plane, or more preferably, within the mirror or central plane, i.e., exactly in the middle between the light-emitting elements. That is, the two light-emitting elements achieve the same light intensity, wherein the light propagation within the light-emitting elements is mirror-symmetrical and therefore can be opposite in direction. Alternatively, a plurality of light sources arranged in pairs with mirror symmetry can also be provided. In this way, a caustic lighting effect can be produced in the vehicle interior.

[0020] Preferably, in the case where the lighting device according to the invention comprises a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged in the same shape or mirror-reflected relative to each other, light-blocking plates are formed between the light-emitting elements. Here, the light-blocking plates serve not only to block light but also to stabilize the housing or the panel belonging to the housing. For example, in the event of a head impact with the housing, especially the panel, the light-blocking plates are responsible for diverting at least a portion of the impact energy around the light-emitting elements to the lower part of the housing. This prevents the head from striking the outer edge of one of the light-emitting elements and prevents one of the light-emitting elements from detaching from the housing.

[0021] The present invention also relates to the use of the lighting device in one of the above embodiments in a motor vehicle. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The invention and its technical environment will now be explained in detail with the aid of the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings illustrate particularly preferred embodiments of the invention; however, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. The drawings schematically illustrate: Figure 1a A schematic cross-sectional view of the lighting device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 1b Showing one of the light-emitting bodies 2 along Figure 1a A cross-sectional view of section line S; Figure 2a A schematic cross-sectional view of the lighting device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 2b Showing one of the light-emitting bodies 2 along Figure 2a A cross-sectional view of section line S; Figure 3a A schematic cross-sectional view of the lighting device 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 3b Showing one of the light-emitting bodies 2 along Figure 3a The cross-sectional view of section line S. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1a and Figure 1b The first embodiment of the illumination device 1 according to the invention is shown, which is designed for an arrangement in a passenger unit of a motor vehicle. This illumination device has a light source 3 arranged on a circuit board 7, a translucent or transparent light-emitting body 2 with faceted surfaces A+I, illuminated by the light transmitted from the light source 3, and a housing 4. The light source 3 is formed as a dot relative to the size of the light-emitting body 2. The light-emitting body 2 is formed of transparent or translucent plastic, particularly thermoplastic. The housing 4 (e.g., including a panel surrounding the light-emitting body 2) has a predetermined receiving volume 10, in which the light-emitting body 2 is partially received through an opening 4a in the housing 4, such that the light-emitting body forms an outer surface A (as a visible surface) and an inner surface I, the outer surface facing the observer B, located outside the receiving volume 10, and including multiple facets of the light-emitting body 2, and the inner surface arranged within the receiving volume 10 of the housing 4 and including multiple facets. Figure 1a As shown, when the opening 4a of the housing 4 is projected vertically onto the surface of the light source 2, it forms a boundary line G that separates the outer surface A from the inner surface I, and the boundary line G bends toward the observer B and is therefore not in the same plane.

[0024] The facet of the outer surface A is also referred to as the outer facet 2a, while the facet of the inner surface I is also referred to as the inner facet 2i. Here, the facets (such as the outer facet 2a and the inner facet 2i, the latter including the special facet 2s) are formed substantially flat.

[0025] like Figure 1b As shown, at least two special facets 2s of the inner surface I, which are adjacent to each other in the common straight inner edge 2k, are oriented relative to each other such that the inner edge 2k is recessed in the inner surface I of the light-emitting body 2. In other words, the special facets 2s form an exterior angle of less than 180°, preferably less than 160°, on the outer side of the light-emitting body 2 on the inner edge 2k. Furthermore, the outer facets 2a forming the outer surface A are adjacent to each other in the common straight outer edge 2j, and the outer facets 2a are oriented relative to each other such that the outer edge 2j is formed protrudingly in the outer surface A of the light-emitting body 2. In other words, the outer facets 2a form an exterior angle of greater than 180°, preferably greater than 200°, on the outer side of the light-emitting body 2 on the outer edge 2j.

[0026] exist Figure 1a and Figure 1bIn the first embodiment shown, the light-entry window 2f is not formed by at least one of the special facets 2s of the inner surface I. Instead, the light-emitting body 2 has a substrate 2g and a light-conducting segment 2h, wherein the latter is integrally or materially connected to the substrate 2g of the light-emitting body 2, and its free end forms the light-entry window 2f. Here, the light-entry window 2f is arranged such that the light from the light source 3 will not reach and leave the outer surface A without internal reflection, thereby preventing the light source 3 from being directly seen by the observer B.

[0027] For example, apart from the light-conducting window 2f, the entire inner surface I of the light-emitting body 2 is provided with a reflective coating, such as an iridescent coating, a color-changing coating, or a mirror coating. The coating may be, for example, a metallic coating or a coating with an AB (“aurora”) effect color or iridescence. Alternatively, a reflective coating may be provided on the separate inner facets 2i of the inner surface I.

[0028] Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the special facets 2s have the aforementioned reflective coating, wherein the light from the light source 3 can directly reach these special facets 2s having the aforementioned reflective coating after passing through the light-entry window 2f (in the absence of prior internal reflection).

[0029] Lighting device 1 in Figure 2a and Figure 2b The second embodiment shown has two light-emitting elements 2, which are formed and arranged with their surfaces mirror-reversed relative to each other. A corresponding light source 3 is arranged to produce a mirror-symmetrical light distribution within these light-emitting elements 3. More specifically, the relative arrangement is chosen such that the main emission direction of the light source is in the mirror or central plane, i.e., exactly in the middle between the light-emitting elements 2. That is, the two light-emitting elements 2 achieve the same amount of light, wherein the light propagation within the light-emitting elements 2 is mirror-symmetrical and can therefore be opposite in direction. In this manner, a caustic light effect can be produced in the interior of a vehicle.

[0030] Here, a light-blocking plate 6 is formed between these light-emitting elements 2. The light-blocking plate 6 serves not only to block light but also to stabilize the housing or the panel belonging to that housing (not shown in detail here). For example, in the event of a head impact with the housing, especially the panel, the light-blocking plate 6 is responsible for diverting at least a portion of the impact energy around the light-emitting elements 2 to the lower part of the housing. This prevents the head from hitting the outer edge 2j of one of the light-emitting elements 2 and prevents one of the light-emitting elements 2 from detaching from the housing.

[0031] like Figure 2a As shown, the opening of the shell, which is not shown in detail, forms a boundary line G that separates the outer surface A from the inner surface I when projected vertically onto the surface of the light source 2. The boundary line G is curved away from the observer B and is therefore not in a plane.

[0032] Here, the facets (such as the outer facet 2a and the inner facet 2i, the latter including the special facet 2s) are also formed substantially flat. Figure 2b As shown, the three special facets 2s of the inner surface I, which are adjacent to each other in the common straight inner edge 2k, are oriented relative to each other as follows, such that the inner edge 2k is recessed in the inner surface I of the light-emitting body 2. In other words, the special facets 2s form an exterior angle of less than 180°, preferably less than 160°, on the outer side of the light-emitting body 2 on the inner edge 2k. Furthermore, the outer facets 2a forming the outer surface A are adjacent to each other in the common straight outer edge 2j, and the outer facets 2a are oriented relative to each other as follows, such that the outer edge 2j is formed protrudingly in the outer surface A of the light-emitting body 2. In other words, the outer facets 2a form an exterior angle of greater than 180°, preferably greater than 200°, on the outer side of the light-emitting body 2 on the outer edge 2j.

[0033] exist Figure 2a and Figure 2b In the second embodiment shown, the light-entry window 2f is formed by a special facet 2s of the inner surface I. Here, the light-entry window 2f is arranged such that at least a portion of the light from the light source 3 will not reach and leave the outer surface A without internal reflection.

[0034] For example, apart from the light-conducting window 2f, the entire inner surface I of the light-emitting body 2 is provided with a reflective coating, such as an iridescent coating, a color-changing coating, or a mirror coating. The coating may be, for example, a metallic coating or a coating with an AB (“aurora”) effect color or iridescence. Alternatively, a reflective coating may be provided on the separate inner facets 2i of the inner surface I.

[0035] Lighting device 1 in Figure 3a and Figure 3b The third embodiment shown also has two light-emitting elements 2, which are formed and arranged with their surfaces mirror-reversed relative to each other. The corresponding light sources 3 are arranged to produce a mirror-symmetrical light distribution within these light-emitting elements 3. That is, by correspondingly manipulating the light sources 3, the two light-emitting elements 2 achieve the same amount of light, wherein the light propagation within the light-emitting elements 2 is mirror-symmetrical and therefore can be in opposite directions. In this way, a caustic light effect can be produced in the vehicle interior.

[0036] Here, light-shielding plates 6 (here formed in a conical design) are also formed between these light-emitting elements 2. These light-shielding plates 6 serve not only to block light but also to stabilize the housing or panels belonging to that housing, which are not shown in detail here. For example, in the event of a head impact with the housing, especially the panel, the light-shielding plates 6 are responsible for diverting at least a portion of the impact energy around the light-emitting elements 2 to the lower part of the housing. This prevents the head from hitting the outer edge 2j of one of the light-emitting elements 2 and prevents one of the light-emitting elements 2 from detaching from the housing.

[0037] like Figure 3a As shown, the opening of the shell (not shown in detail) forms a boundary line G that separates the outer surface A from the inner surface I when projected vertically onto the surface of the light source 2, and the boundary line G bends toward the observer B and is therefore not in a plane.

[0038] Here, the facets (such as the outer facet 2a and the inner facet 2i, the latter including the special facet 2s) are also formed substantially flat. Figure 3b As shown, two special facets 2s of the inner surface I, adjacent to each other in the shared straight inner edge 2k, are oriented relative to each other such that the inner edge 2k is recessed in the inner surface I of the light-emitting body 2. In other words, the special facets 2s form an exterior angle of less than 180°, preferably less than 160°, on the outer side of the light-emitting body 2 on the inner edge 2k. Furthermore, the outer facets 2a forming the outer surface A are adjacent to each other in the shared straight outer edge 2j, and the outer facets 2a are oriented relative to each other such that the outer edge 2j is formed protrudingly in the outer surface A of the light-emitting body 2. In other words, the outer facets 2a form an exterior angle of greater than 180°, preferably greater than 200°, on the outer side of the light-emitting body 2 on the outer edge 2j.

[0039] exist Figure 3a and Figure 3b In the third embodiment shown, the light-gathering window 2f is formed by one of the two special facets 2s of the inner surface I. Here, the light-gathering window 2f is arranged such that at least a portion of the light from the light source 3 does not reach and leave the outer surface A without internal reflection.

[0040] For example, apart from the light-conducting window 2f, the entire inner surface I of the light-emitting body 2 is provided with a reflective coating, such as an iridescent coating, a color-changing coating, or a mirror coating. The coating may be, for example, a metallic coating or a coating with an AB (“aurora”) effect color or iridescence. Alternatively, a reflective coating may be provided on the separate inner facets 2i of the inner surface I.

Claims

1. A lighting device (1) particularly for a passenger unit of a motor vehicle, comprising: a light source (3); a translucent or transparent light-emitting body (2) illuminated by light transmitted from the light source (3), the light-emitting body having a faceted surface (A+I); and a housing (4) having a predetermined receiving volume (10), the light-emitting body (2) being partially received in the housing via an opening (4a) in the housing (4), such that the light-emitting body (2) has a visible outer surface (A) facing an observer (B) and located outside the receiving volume (10), wherein the outer surface (A) A) includes multiple facets as outer facets (2a) and forms an inner surface (I), the inner surface including multiple facets as inner facets (2i) arranged within the receiving volume (10) of the housing (4), and the inner surface (I) includes a light-entry window (2f) for allowing light from the light source (3) to enter the light emitter (2), wherein at least two special facets (2s) of the inner surface (I) that are adjacent to each other in a common inner edge (2k) are oriented relative to each other such that the inner edge (2k) is recessed in the inner surface (I) of the light emitter (2).

2. The lighting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the light-entry window (2f) is formed by at least one of the special facets (2s) of the inner surface (I).

3. The lighting device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the light-entry window (2f) is formed outside the inner surface (I) formed by the special facet (2s).

4. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light-emitting body (2) is formed of translucent or transparent plastic.

5. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer facets (2a) forming the outer surface (A) are adjacent to each other in a common outer edge (2j), and the outer facets (2a) are oriented relative to each other such that the outer edge (2j) is formed prominently in the outer surface (A) of the light source (2).

6. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer facet (2a), the inner facet (2i), and the special facet (2s) are designed to be substantially flat and the inner edge (2k) and the outer edge (2j) are designed to be substantially straight.

7. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light-emitting body (2) has a substrate (2g) and a light conductor section (2h) integrally or materially connected to the substrate (2g), the free end of the light conductor section forming the light-entry window (2f).

8. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the special facets (2s) has a reflective coating.

9. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light from the light source (3) in at least the inner facets (2i) is capable of reaching those inner facets that previously had no internal reflections, has a reflective coating.

10. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the special facets (2s) forms an internal reflective surface and is arranged such that light from the light source (3) reaches this special facet (2s) without prior internal reflection.

11. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light-emitting behavior of the light-entry window (2f) and / or the light source (3) is selected such that the light from the light source (3) does not reach and leave the outer surface (A) without internal reflection.

12. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the opening (4a) of the housing (4) forms a boundary line (G) separating the outer surface (A) from the inner surface (I) when projected vertically onto the surface (A+I) of the light source (3), and the boundary line (G) is at least partially away from or towards the observer (B).

13. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the lighting device having at least two light-emitting bodies (2) formed in the same shape and / or formed in a mirror-reversed manner relative to each other.

14. The lighting device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the light source (3) or the plurality of light sources (3) is arranged to produce a mirror-symmetrical light distribution in the light-emitting body (2).

15. The lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding two claims, wherein a light-blocking plate (6) is formed between the two light-emitting bodies (2).

16. Use of the lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims in a motor vehicle.

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