Vehicles including interior
By using standardized and modular LED lighting devices, and combining different external lenses with a unified support structure and lens modules, the high cost problem caused by the differences in lighting devices in vehicle interiors has been solved, thus achieving simplified assembly and cost reduction.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- FERRARI SPA
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-20
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Significant differences between various lighting fixtures in existing vehicle interiors lead to extended design, procurement, storage, and installation times, thereby increasing costs.
The standardized and modular LED lighting device emits beams of light at different angles and tilt angles through a unified design of the support and lens. It uses the same support and lens module, combined with different external lenses, to achieve a variety of lighting functions.
It simplifies the interior assembly process, reduces installation time and costs, and meets different lighting needs.
Smart Images
Figure CN224576547U_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Cross-references to related applications
[0002] This patent application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102024000019192, filed on August 23, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field
[0003] This utility model relates to the field of vehicles, wherein the interior of the vehicle is equipped with an LED lighting device, which is located, for example, in the passenger compartment, luggage compartment side wall, storage compartment, door or tailgate interior, etc. Background Technology
[0004] In the automotive industry, especially when it comes to cars, lighting for passenger compartments, luggage compartments, storage compartments, etc., is usually achieved through dedicated LED lighting devices.
[0005] In other words, the design and manufacture of the lighting unit are separate from other LED units installed on the same vehicle, depending on the characteristics of the beam to be projected. These characteristics basically include: the location where the beam must be emitted, i.e., where the lighting unit must be installed; the aperture angle / emission angle of the beam; and the tilt angle of the beam relative to the axis of maximum LED emission intensity.
[0006] Therefore, along the vehicle interior assembly line, each LED lighting unit is identified by its unique identification number, requires a power supply and a dedicated storage area, and typically also requires specialized installation techniques and instructions based on the specific construction characteristics and dimensions of the unit.
[0007] Significant differences between the various lighting fixtures used in vehicle interiors have clearly led to extended design, procurement, storage, and installation times, resulting in potentially high costs.
[0008] Therefore, it is necessary to reduce these time and costs by standardizing and, if possible, modularizing the features of lighting devices, while still meeting various requirements regarding the characteristics of the beam to be projected.
[0009] Therefore, the purpose of this utility model is to meet the above-mentioned needs, preferably in a simple and effective manner. Utility Model Content
[0010] This invention aims to address the problem of extended design, procurement, storage, and installation times, and consequently, potentially high costs, caused by significant differences between various lighting devices used in existing vehicle interiors. To this end, this invention provides a vehicle interior including a first LED lighting device and at least one second LED lighting device, wherein the first LED lighting device and the at least one second LED lighting device each have a first outer surface and a second outer surface, and are configured to emit light respectively.
[0011] - A first light beam along a first axis, having a first predefined aperture angle and a first predefined tilt angle relative to the first outer surface, and
[0012] - A second beam along a second axis, having a second predefined opening angle and a second predefined tilt angle relative to the second outer surface;
[0013] Wherein the first opening angle and the second opening angle are different from each other, and / or the first tilt angle and the second tilt angle are different from each other;
[0014] The first LED lighting device and the second LED lighting device include:
[0015] - Each of their own supporting structures;
[0016] - Each of the electronic boards is supported by a support structure and equipped with LEDs;
[0017] - Each is configured as a lens for focusing light, having an incident surface facing the LED and an exit surface opposite the incident surface;
[0018] Its features are:
[0019] - The supports are identical to each other;
[0020] - The lenses are identical to each other;
[0021] - The first LED lighting device and the second LED lighting device each include a first outer lens and a second outer lens, which face the exit surface of the lens and are different from each other to define the first aperture angle and the first tilt angle, and the second aperture angle and the second tilt angle, respectively.
[0022] The above solution reduces installation time and cost and simplifies interior assembly by standardizing and modularizing LED lighting devices. Attached Figure Description
[0023] The present invention will be best understood by reading the following description of preferred embodiments, which is provided by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0024] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a vehicle according to the present invention, wherein the door is open to show a beam of light projected from the vehicle interior;
[0025] Figures 2 to 5 It shows Figure 1 The various details of the vehicle's interior were displayed, and other beams of light were projected onto it;
[0026] Figure 6 and Figure 7 These are an overall perspective view and an exploded perspective view of an LED lighting device configured to emit light. Figures 1 to 5 The beam shown;
[0027] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A magnified cross-sectional view of the components of an LED lighting device;
[0028] Figure 9 and Figure 10 The outer lens of the LED lighting device according to the first version is shown in perspective and cross-sectional views, respectively.
[0029] Figure 11 and Figure 12 respectively with Figure 9 and Figure 10 Similarly, a second version of the outer lens is shown;
[0030] Figure 13 and Figure 14 respectively with Figure 9 and Figure 10 Similarly, a third version of the outer lens is shown. Detailed Implementation
[0031] exist Figures 1 to 5 In this context, reference numeral 1 indicates a vehicle, particularly an automobile, whose interior is equipped with multiple LED lighting devices, which in the preferred examples shown herein are respectively represented by reference numerals 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e.
[0032] The term "interior trim" refers to all components arranged inside the vehicle 1 when the vehicle 1 is in a driving state; specifically, these components can be defined as trim pieces, coverings, fabrics, structures made of plastic materials, elastomers, or composite materials, etc., which cover the body parts of the vehicle 1 from the inside. However, more generally, the term "interior trim" can also be understood as uncovered body parts that always face the interior of the vehicle 1 when the vehicle 1 is in a driving state.
[0033] refer to Figure 1 Vehicle 1 includes a side door 21, shown in the open position (thus, in an operating state different from the driving state described above), and has a lower wall 22 on which an LED lighting device 6a is mounted. The LED lighting device 6a is arranged in a position that can project a beam of light 7a downward along axis 8a to illuminate an area of road surface 23 next to vehicle 1, approximately below the same side door 21, thereby facilitating the driver or passenger to disembark in poor external lighting conditions (e.g., to highlight the presence of puddles next to vehicle 1). In particular, the beam of light 7a is defined by a light cone, and therefore it has axial symmetry.
[0034] The LED lighting device 6a has an outer surface 9a from which a light beam 7a is emitted. Preferably, the LED lighting device 6a is embedded in the door 21 such that the outer surface 9a is flush with the outer surface of the lower wall 22.
[0035] The outer surface 9a is defined by an outer lens 10a, which is made of a light-transmitting material, such as... Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown. The outer lens 10a is configured to emit a beam 7a at a predefined aperture angle / emission angle symmetrical with respect to the axis 8a, and during emission, there is a predetermined tilt angle between the axis 8a and the outer surface 9a. In this particular case, the aperture half-angle / emission half-angle (α) with respect to the axis 8a is 10°, and the axis 8a is orthogonal to the outer surface 9a.
[0036] refer to Figure 2 The vehicle 1 includes a passenger compartment 25, the top of which is defined by a roof 26. The roof 26 facing the passenger compartment 25 has a lining defined by a roof liner 28 and supports a map light 29 including an LED lighting device 6b. The LED lighting device 6b has an outer surface 9b, and a beam 7b is emitted downward from the outer surface 9b along an axis 8b to illuminate a corresponding area of the passenger compartment 25.
[0037] The beam 7b leaves the outer surface 9b at a predefined opening angle / emission angle symmetrical with respect to the axis 8b, and there is a predetermined tilt angle between the axis 8b and the outer surface 9b when it leaves.
[0038] If the aperture / emission angles of beams 7a and 7b are different from each other, and / or if the tilt angles of axes 8a and 8b are different from each other, then the LED lighting device 6b differs from the LED lighting device 6a in that its outer surface 9b is defined by an outer lens different from that of the outer lens 10a, as described in more detail below. On the other hand, if both the aperture / emission angles and the tilt angles are equal, then the outer lens of the LED lighting device 6b is the same as that of the outer lens 10a.
[0039] These same considerations regarding the beam's aperture / emission angle and tilt angle can also be applied. Figures 3 to 5 Other examples are shown.
[0040] In particular, reference Figure 3Vehicle 1 includes a luggage compartment 31 defined by a wall 32, such as a sidewall along one of the sides of vehicle 1, which supports an LED lighting device 6c. The LED lighting device 6c has an outer surface 9c in which a beam of light 7c is emitted along an axis 8c to illuminate a corresponding area of the luggage compartment 31. For example, the LED lighting device 6c is embedded in the wall 32, and the outer surface 9c is flush with the surface of the luggage compartment 31. The beam of light 7c has a predefined opening angle / emission angle, and the axis 8c has a predefined tilt angle defined by an outer lens 10c, such as... Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, outer lens 10c differs from outer lens 10a. In this particular case, the opening half-angle / emission half-angle (α) relative to axis 8c is 10° (i.e., the same as that of beam 7a), but the tilt angle relative to outer surface 9c is different, for example, 65°.
[0041] exist Figure 4 In the example, the LED lighting device 6d is positioned to illuminate an area on the floor 35 that defines the bottom of the passenger compartment 25, i.e., the area of the driver's seat (or passenger seat), for example, to properly identify the pedals (not shown) and / or to generate diffuse light in the passenger compartment 25. In the same manner as described above, the LED lighting device 6d has an outer surface 9d in which a beam 7d is emitted along an axis 8d with a predefined opening angle / emission angle and a predefined tilt angle.
[0042] The aperture angle / emission angle and tilt angle are defined by the outer lens 10d, such as Figure 11 and Figure 12 As shown, outer lens 10d differs from outer lenses 10a and 10c. In particular, the tilt angle of axis 8d is the same as that of axis 8a (i.e., 90°), but the aperture half-angle / emission half-angle (α) of beam 7d is different, for example, 30°.
[0043] exist Figure 5 In the example, LED lighting device 6e is arranged to illuminate storage compartment 37, which is closed by door 38. For example, LED lighting device 6d is installed in the dashboard 39 supporting said door 38; however, this lighting is also suitable for different storage compartments, such as those defined by tunnel cabinets, side door panels, etc. In the same manner as described above, LED lighting device 6e has an outer surface 9e in which a beam of light 7e is emitted along axis 8e, having a predefined opening angle / emission angle and a predefined tilt angle. In this particular case, the opening angle / emission angle of the beam of light 7e and the tilt angle of axis 8e are the same as those of the outer lens 10a. Figure 9 and Figure 10 In particular, LED lighting device 6e is exactly the same as LED lighting device 6a.
[0044] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 Each of the LED lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e includes a common module 40, which is identical for all devices, and further includes a support 41 and a lens 42, which are directly coupled to each other in a fixed position via a coupling system 43 (e.g., snap-fit). In the following text, the term "directly" means that no other object is involved in the mutual coupling or positioning. The coupling system 43 is identical for each of the LED lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e, but the type of fixing is irrelevant to the purpose of this invention.
[0045] The support 41 supports the electronic board 44, also known as the PCB (Printed Circuit Board), which in turn supports the LED 45. In particular, the support 41 is defined by a half-shell that houses the electronic board 44. The LED 45 is configured to project a light beam 46 along an axis of symmetry 47 transverse to the electronic board 44, wherein the light intensity is maximum along the axis 47.
[0046] Preferably, the electronic board 44 with LEDs 45 is also part of the common module 40, meaning they are the same for all LED lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e. On the other hand, if it is necessary to change the color and / or light intensity, the LED lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e may include electronic boards 44 and / or LEDs 45 that are different from each other.
[0047] Lens 42 is defined by an object made of a light-transmitting material, unlike the outer lenses (10a, 10d, 10c), and has two opposing surfaces 48 and 49. Surface 48 faces the LED and is coaxial with the LED. Preferably, it faces directly towards the LED 45 (there may only be an air gap between the LED 45 and surface 48).
[0048] Lens 42 has a suitable shape, for example, it has axial symmetry, such as... Figure 8 As shown in the non-limiting example, the shape is configured to focus the light from the beam 46 received from the LED 45.
[0049] Surface 49 is preferably flat (therefore surface 48 is shaped to deflect and focus the light of LED 45). In particular, surface 49 is orthogonal to axis 47.
[0050] Preferably, the shape of lens 42 collimates the light rays, that is, the shape makes the light rays emerging from surface 49 parallel. These light rays are orthogonal to surface 49.
[0051] Light exiting surface 49 is directed to outer lenses 10a, 10d, and 10c. Outer lenses 10a, 10d, and 10c have identical external shapes, dimensions, and characteristics, allowing them to be mounted interchangeably on lens 42. Each of the outer lenses 10a, 10d, and 10c is directly coupled to a fixed position on the corresponding lens 42 via a coupling system 50 (e.g., snap-fit type). (The coupling system 50 is identical for each of the LED lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e, but the type of fixing is irrelevant to the purpose of this invention.)
[0052] refer to Figures 9 to 14 Each of the outer lenses 10a, 10d, and 10c has a corresponding surface 11a, 11d, or 11c, which is opposite to the outer surfaces 9a, 9d, and 9c, for receiving light emitted by surface 49. In particular, surfaces 11a, 11d, and 11c face directly toward surface 49 (there may be only an air gap between surface 49 and surfaces 11a, 11d, and 11c).
[0053] Preferably, the shapes of surfaces 11a, 11d, and 11c are designed to define both the aperture / emission angles of the corresponding beams 7a, 7d, and 7c, and the tilt angles of the corresponding axes 8a, 8d, and 8c. Specifically, each of surfaces 11a, 11d, and 11c comprises a plurality of prisms 12a, 12d, and 12c arranged adjacent to each other, for example, in a two-dimensional array, and having shapes and dimensions that define the aperture / emission angles of the corresponding beams 7a, 7d, and 7c, and the tilt angles of the corresponding axes 8a, 8d, and 8c. Prisms 12a, 12d, and 12c are not described in detail because their characteristics are based on... Figure 10 , 12 The cross sections shown in simplified form in 14 and 15 will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
[0054] For the reasons stated above, it is clear that the outer lenses 10a, 10d, and 10c can fulfill the task of defining the aperture / emission angles of the corresponding light beams 7a, 7d, and 7c, as well as the tilt angles of the corresponding axes 8a, 8d, and 8c, without altering any other components of the LED lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e. In particular, as described above, the support 41 and the lens 42 together constitute a common module 40, which remains unchanged for each of the lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e.
[0055] In other words, using a common module 40, which is unique and can be selected from modules available on the market, it is still possible to cover all the lighting functions of the beam of the vehicle 1 interior by simply installing the correct external lens selected from a range of available external lenses (10a, 10d, 10c or other external lenses that define different opening angles / emission angles and / or different tilt angles).
[0056] This modularity means that the external dimensions of the LED lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e are standardized, as these dimensions are essentially defined by the support 41 and the lens 42. Therefore, the installation patterns of the different LED lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, and 6e in the interior of vehicle 1 can also be standardized, thus simplifying the assembly of these interior components.
[0057] Furthermore, since a single external lens can be selected and installed, keeping all the remaining LED lighting units 6a, 6b, 6c, etc., unchanged allows for some freedom in potentially altering the appearance, for example:
[0058] - By introducing different colors for the outer lenses 10a, 10d, and 10c, and / or
[0059] - By introducing different surface roughnesses for the outer surfaces 9a, 9d, and 9c, and / or
[0060] - By forming frames of different shapes and / or different colors along the periphery of the outer lenses 10a, 10d, 10c (i.e. around the outer surfaces 9a, 9d, 9c).
[0061] The solution proposed in this paper is relatively simple because each of the LED lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c, etc. has a very small number of components, and only one component will change for the different installation locations available in vehicle 1.
[0062] Based on the above disclosure, those skilled in the art will clearly see other advantages.
[0063] Finally, the vehicle 1 described with reference to the accompanying drawings can obviously be modified and varied without exceeding the protection scope defined by this utility model.
[0064] In particular, the shape and proportions of the external dimensions of the LED lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c, etc. may differ from those disclosed in the examples above: for example, the LED lighting devices 6a, 6b, 6c, etc. may have a generally cylindrical shape instead of the parallelepiped shape shown herein.
[0065] Furthermore, the concept of changing the outer lens while keeping the support 41 and lens 42 unchanged can be applied to LED lighting devices with different numbers and / or different positions as described above.
Claims
1. A vehicle (1) including an interior, the interior being provided with a first LED lighting device (6a) and at least one second LED lighting device (6d, 6c), the first LED lighting device (6a) and the at least one second LED lighting device (6d, 6c) having a first outer surface (9a) and a second outer surface (9d, 9c) respectively, and configured to emit: - A first beam (7a) along a first axis (8a), having a first predefined opening angle and a first predefined tilt angle relative to the first outer surface (9a), and - A second beam (7d, 7c) along the second axis (8d, 8c), having a second predefined opening angle and a second predefined tilt angle relative to the second outer surface (9d, 9c); Wherein the first opening angle and the second opening angle are different from each other, and / or the first tilt angle and the second tilt angle are different from each other; The first LED lighting device (6a) and the at least one second LED lighting device (6d, 6c) include: - Each of the supporting bodies (41); - Each of the electronic boards (44) supported by the support (41) and equipped with LEDs (45); - Each is configured as a lens (42) for focusing light, having an incident surface (48) facing the LED (45) and an exit surface (49) opposite to the incident surface (48). Its features are: - The supports (41) are identical to each other; - The lenses (42) are identical to each other; - The first LED lighting device (6a) and the at least one second LED lighting device (6d, 6c) each include a first outer lens (10a) and a second outer lens (10d, 10c), which face the exit surface (49) of the lens (42) and are different from each other to define the first opening angle and the first tilt angle, and the second opening angle and the second tilt angle, respectively.
2. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The lens (42) is configured to emit light rays that are parallel to each other at the exit surface (49).
3. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The electronic boards (44) having the corresponding LEDs (45) are identical to each other.
4. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first outer lens (10a) and the second outer lens (10d, 10c) are directly coupled to the respective lens (42) at a fixed position through the same coupling system (50).
5. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The lens (42) is directly coupled to the corresponding support (41) at a fixed position via another coupling system (43) identical to each other.
6. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The incident surface (48) of the lens (42) faces directly toward the corresponding LED (45).
7. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first outer lens (10a) and the second outer lens (10d, 10c) have a first inner surface (11a) and a second inner surface (11d, 11c), respectively, which are opposite to the outer surfaces (9a, 9d, 9c) and directly face the exit surface (49) of the corresponding lens (42).
8. The vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first outer lens (10a) and the second outer lens (10d, 10c) have a first inner surface (11a) and a second inner surface (11d, 11c), which are opposite to the outer surfaces (9a, 9d, 9c) and different from each other, to define the first opening angle and the first tilt angle, and the second opening angle and the second tilt angle, respectively.
9. The vehicle (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The outer surfaces (9a, 9d, 9c) are flat.
10. The vehicle (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that Each of the first inner surface (11a) and the second inner surface (11d, 11c) is defined by a set of corresponding prisms (12a, 12d, 12c) arranged side by side.