A type of automotive interior ambient lighting module

Abstract

This invention proposes an automotive interior ambient lighting module, comprising at least one light guide strip, at least one light-emitting module, a driving module, a cover, and a connector. The light-emitting module is mounted on one end of the light guide strip, with its light-emitting end facing the light guide strip. A slot is provided on the inner side of the cover, and the light guide strip is sequentially accommodated within the slot along its extension direction. Each light-emitting module is electrically connected to the driving module via a wiring harness. The driving module is located outside the light guide strip and cover, and is communicatively connected to the vehicle's main control unit via the connector. The driving module receives signals from the vehicle's main control unit through the connector and outputs driving signals to drive each light-emitting module through the wiring harness. This automotive interior ambient lighting module avoids the light-emitting module being affected by the heat generated by the driving module, while also reducing the size of the light-emitting module, allowing it to be installed in narrower interior spaces, which is beneficial for the styling of the automotive interior and enhances the overall aesthetics of the vehicle interior.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive interior technology, specifically to an automotive interior ambient lighting module. Background Technology

[0002] Ambient lighting in automotive interiors serves a decorative and aesthetic purpose, enhancing the car's ambiance and sense of luxury. Ambient lighting units are typically installed in confined spaces such as the dashboard, center console, door panels, and headrests, requiring small unit size and high brightness. However, from an engineering perspective, the unit needs ample space for a PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) to accommodate vibration, heat dissipation, dustproofing, and waterproofing. The following issues influence the current design and placement of ambient lighting.

[0003] 1. Some car interior ambient lights have low brightness, poor uniformity, high heat generation, and obvious color difference.

[0004] 2. Currently, ambient lighting lamp heads typically integrate the driver circuit, power circuit, and RGB-LEDs together. This results in a larger PCB board size due to the need to accommodate more components, leading to a larger lamp head size, greater installation space requirements, impacting interior styling, and reducing visual quality.

[0005] 3. Each ambient light head requires an LED driver chip, resulting in high hardware costs.

[0006] 4. Different car models require different lamp heads due to differences in installation space and location, resulting in poor versatility and increased development and testing costs. Utility Model Content

[0007] In order to overcome the defects existing in the prior art, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an automotive interior ambient lighting module.

[0008] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives of this utility model, this utility model provides an automotive interior ambient lighting module, including at least one light guide strip, at least one light-emitting module, a driving module, a mask, and a connector.

[0009] The light-emitting module is assembled at one end of the light guide strip, and the light-emitting end of the light-emitting module is directly facing the light guide strip. A slot is provided on the inner side of the mask, and the light guide strip is sequentially accommodated in the slot along the extension direction of the slot.

[0010] Each of the light-emitting modules is electrically connected to the driving module via a wiring harness, and the driving module is located outside the light guide strip and the mask. The driving module is connected to the vehicle main control unit via a connector.

[0011] The drive module receives signals from the vehicle's main control unit via the connector and outputs drive signals to drive each of the light-emitting modules via the wiring harness.

[0012] This automotive interior ambient lighting module divides the traditional lamp head into two parts: a driving module and a light-emitting module. One driving module simultaneously functions multiple light-emitting modules, while the light-emitting modules are only responsible for emitting light. It can be adapted to different car models and different installation positions. Its universal and standardized characteristics meet the requirements of mass production and reduce costs.

[0013] Optionally, the light-emitting module includes a housing and a first PCB board disposed inside the housing. RGB-LEDs are arranged on the first PCB board, and the control terminal of the RGB-LEDs is electrically connected to the control signal output terminal of the driving module.

[0014] Optionally, the light-emitting module is snapped onto one end of the light guide strip.

[0015] Optionally, the housing of the light-emitting module is provided with a snap-fit ​​structure, and one end of the light guide strip is provided with a mating structure that matches the snap-fit ​​structure. The snap-fit ​​structure and the mating structure achieve the fixed assembly of the light-emitting module and the light guide strip through snap-fit.

[0016] Optionally, the drive module includes an upper shell, a lower cover, and a second PCB board disposed between the upper shell and the lower cover. An LED drive circuit is arranged on the second PCB board, and the LED drive circuit is communicatively connected to the vehicle main control unit through a connector.

[0017] Optionally, the LED driving circuit includes an LED driver chip and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is connected to the vehicle main control unit through the connector, receives control commands issued by the vehicle main control unit, and controls the LED driver chip to output driving signals to the light-emitting module.

[0018] Optionally, the harness is a flexible cable.

[0019] Optionally, the deflection angle of the light guide strip is less than 30 degrees.

[0020] The beneficial effects of this utility model are:

[0021] 1. By separating the light-emitting module from the driver module, the heat generated by the light-emitting module is reduced and the heat dissipation is improved. This avoids the RGB-LEDs in the light-emitting module being affected by the heat generated by the driver module. It is beneficial to use high-power RGB-LEDs in small-size PCBs and lamp holders, improve brightness, ensure junction temperature, reduce color difference, and extend the life of RGB-LEDs.

[0022] 2. The separate design of the light-emitting module and the driving module also reduces the size of the light-emitting module, resulting in a smaller installation angle. Furthermore, the smaller deflection angle of the light guide reduces light loss, increases brightness, and improves the uniformity of light output from the light guide. At the same time, the light-emitting module can be installed in a narrower vehicle interior space, which is beneficial to the styling of the car interior and enhances the aesthetics of the entire vehicle interior.

[0023] 3. The light-emitting module has high versatility and standardization, meeting the requirements of mass production and reducing development and testing costs. The light-emitting module is only responsible for emitting light and can be adapted to different vehicle models and installation locations. Its versatility and standardization meet the requirements of mass production, reducing costs.

[0024] 4. One driver module can act on multiple light-emitting modules, reducing the number of driver modules required and thus reducing costs.

[0025] 5. Issues such as heat dissipation and large size of the driver module will not limit the light-emitting module. Its installation position is free and can be far away from the narrow area where the light guide is arranged.

[0026] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this utility model will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the mask's structure;

[0030] Figure 3 This is a connection diagram of the light-emitting module, light guide strip, and drive module;

[0031] Figure 4 This is a circuit connection diagram of the light-emitting module and the driving module. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.

[0033] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise specified and limited, it should be noted that the terms "installation", "connection" and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to mechanical or electrical connections, or internal connections between two components. They can be direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms according to the specific circumstances.

[0034] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this utility model provides an automotive interior ambient lighting module, including at least one light guide strip 1, at least one light-emitting module, a driving module 6, a mask 7, and a connector 8.

[0035] The light-emitting module is mounted on one end of the light guide strip 1, with the light-emitting end of the module facing the light guide strip 1. This can be achieved through the following structure: a snap-fit ​​structure is provided on the outer shell of the light-emitting module, and a mating structure matching the snap-fit ​​structure is provided on one end of the light guide strip 1. The snap-fit ​​structure and the mating structure are snapped together to achieve the fixed assembly of the light-emitting module and the light guide strip 1.

[0036] There can be one or more light guide strips 1, and there can be one or more light-emitting modules. In this embodiment, there are three light-emitting modules, namely light-emitting module 2, light-emitting module 3, and light-emitting module 4, which are respectively assembled at one end of different light guide strips 1, and the light-emitting ends of light-emitting modules 2, 3, and 4 face their respective light guide strips 1. The light emitted by light-emitting modules 2, 3, and 4 propagates along their respective light guide strips 1.

[0037] A slot is provided on the inner side of the mask 7 (i.e., the side facing away from the vehicle interior panel), and each light guide strip 1 is sequentially accommodated in the slot along the extension direction of the slot on the inner side of the mask 7. In this embodiment, the mask 7 is also provided with a light-emitting module fixing structure for fixing the light-emitting module. Figure 2 and Figure 3 Light-emitting module 1 (2) corresponds to light-emitting module 1 fixed structure 72, light-emitting module 2 (3) corresponds to light-emitting module 2 fixed structure 73, and light-emitting module 3 (4) corresponds to light-emitting module 3 fixed structure 74.

[0038] Light-emitting modules 2, 3, and 4 are electrically connected to the driving module 6 via wiring harness 5, ensuring that the driving module 6 is positioned away from these modules and outside the light guide strip 1 and the mask 7. The wiring harness 5 is preferably a flexible cable. The driving module 6 communicates with the vehicle's main control unit via connector 8, receiving signals from the main control unit and outputting drive signals to drive the light-emitting modules 2, 3, and 4 to emit light via wiring harness 5. In this embodiment, each light-emitting module includes a housing and a first PCB board disposed within the housing. The housing has a removable bottom cover, facilitating the installation of the first PCB board within the housing. RGB-LEDs are arranged on the first PCB board, and the control terminals of the RGB-LEDs are electrically connected to the control signal output terminals of the driving module 6.

[0039] In this example, the first PCB board size of light-emitting modules 1 (2), 2 (3), and 3 (4) can be as small as 15mm x 10mm x 1.6mm, accommodating 0.5W RGB-LEDs. This results in high lamp head brightness, stable heat dissipation, and minimal color shift due to temperature fluctuations. The junction temperature of the RGB-LEDs is below the automotive-grade requirement of 125 degrees Celsius. The overall size of light-emitting modules 1 (2), 2 (3), and 3 (4) can be as small as 18mm x 12mm x 10mm, significantly smaller than the existing lamp head size of 30mm x 15mm x 20mm. This allows them to fit into narrower mask slots 7 and in more confined installation spaces, minimizing their impact on the car's interior design. In particular, the light coverage around the interior edges is more easily achieved by installing smaller light-emitting modules, improving the ambient lighting coverage and overall aesthetics. Simultaneously, the deflection angle of the light guide strip 1 is controlled within 30 degrees, reducing light loss and improving the uniformity of light distribution.

[0040] In this embodiment, the driving module 6 is a separately configured module, including an upper shell, a lower cover, and a second PCB board disposed between the upper shell and the lower cover. The second PCB board houses an LED driving circuit and a power supply module for powering the module. The LED driving circuit is communicatively connected to the vehicle's main control unit via connector 8. The LED driving circuit includes an LED driver chip and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is connected to the vehicle's main control unit via connector 8, receives control commands from the vehicle's main control unit, and controls the LED driver chip to output driving signals to light-emitting modules 2, 3, and 4. Figure 4As shown, this embodiment uses the IND83213A chip to implement the function of the driving module. The IND83213A chip integrates LED driving circuit and power supply module. U3A and U3B provide power to LED light-emitting module 1 2, LED light-emitting module 2 3, and LED light-emitting module 3 4. U3C integrates LED driving chip and microcontroller, receives control commands from vehicle main control unit, and controls LED light-emitting module 1 2, LED light-emitting module 2 3, and LED light-emitting module 3 4 to emit light.

[0041] During operation, control commands from the vehicle's main control unit are transmitted to the drive module 6 via connector 8. The microcontroller in the drive module 6 controls the LED driver chip to generate corresponding PWM signals or current signals. These signals are transmitted through wiring harness 5 to the RGB-LEDs of light-emitting modules 1, 2, 3, and 4, controlling their illumination. When the RGB-LEDs are lit, the light guide evens the light and emits light through the outside of the mask 7 (i.e., the side facing the vehicle's interior panel), illuminating the interior panel. Because the drive module 6 is separately installed from light-emitting modules 1, 2, 3, and 4 and is not placed within the slot space of the mask 7, the volume of the light guide strip 1, light-emitting modules 1, 2, 3, and 4, and the mask 7 is reduced, allowing the automotive interior ambient lighting module to be placed in a narrower installation space. The drive module 6 can be flexibly arranged in other locations where the installation space allows.

[0042] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0043] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An automotive interior mood light module, characterized in that, It includes at least one light guide strip, at least one light-emitting module, a driving module, a mask, and a connector; The light-emitting module is assembled at one end of the light guide strip, and the light-emitting end of the light-emitting module is directly facing the light guide strip. A slot is provided on the inner side of the mask, and the light guide strip is sequentially accommodated in the slot along the extension direction of the slot. Each of the light-emitting modules is electrically connected to the driving module via a wiring harness, and the driving module is located outside the light guide strip and the mask. The driving module is connected to the vehicle main control unit via a connector. The drive module receives signals from the vehicle's main control unit via the connector and outputs drive signals to drive each of the light-emitting modules via the wiring harness.

2. The automotive interior mood lighting module of claim 1, wherein, The light-emitting module includes a housing and a first PCB board disposed inside the housing. RGB-LEDs are arranged on the first PCB board, and the control terminal of the RGB-LEDs is electrically connected to the control signal output terminal of the driving module.

3. The automotive interior mood lighting module of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The light-emitting module is snapped onto one end of the light guide strip.

4. The automotive interior mood lighting module of claim 2, wherein, The housing of the light-emitting module is provided with a snap-fit ​​structure, and one end of the light guide strip is provided with a mating structure that matches the snap-fit ​​structure. The snap-fit ​​structure and the mating structure achieve the fixed assembly of the light-emitting module and the light guide strip through snap-fit.

5. The automotive interior ambient lighting module according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drive module includes an upper shell, a lower cover, and a second PCB board disposed between the upper shell and the lower cover. An LED drive circuit is arranged on the second PCB board, and the LED drive circuit is communicatively connected to the vehicle main control unit through a connector.

6. The automotive interior mood lighting module of claim 5, wherein, The LED driving circuit includes an LED driver chip and a microcontroller. The microcontroller is connected to the vehicle main control unit through the connector, receives control commands issued by the vehicle main control unit, and controls the LED driver chip to output driving signals to the light-emitting module.

7. The automotive interior mood lighting module of claim 1, wherein, The wiring harness is a flexible cable.

8. The automotive interior mood lighting module of claim 1, wherein, The deflection angle of the light guide strip is less than 30 degrees.

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