motor vehicle

Abstract

Motor vehicle with an air guide device comprising at least one light source, with a light emission surface on at least one end face of the air guide device, wherein the end face with its light emission surface extends at least partially in both a yz-plane and an xz-plane of the motor vehicle, characterized in that light with a comparatively high luminance is emitted from the end face (10), wherein the air guide device (4) has at least one lateral surface (32) with a large-area light emission surface (50) along this lateral surface (32), from which light with a comparatively low luminance is emitted.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a motor vehicle with an air guiding device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] For example, EP 1 389 563 A2 discloses a motor vehicle having an air deflector mounted on a trunk lid, which consists of a large profile extending transversely to the direction of travel and two smaller air deflector surfaces at the ends. The lateral air deflectors each have a circumferential light-emitting surface on their end faces. Furthermore, DE 100 62 076 A1 and DE 10 2005 055 702 A1 disclose air deflectors with a light-emitting surface facing opposite to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle, for displaying a braking signal.

[0003] DE 10 2006 032 023 A1 describes a device and a method for illuminating a motor vehicle, wherein at least one aerodynamically shaped part is or will be actively illuminated to increase the contact pressure on the road.

[0004] In addition, a rear spoiler for a motor vehicle with integrated lighting devices is known from JP S64- 47 452 U.

[0005] From DE 195 34 410 A1 a motor vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 is known.

[0006] The object of the invention is to further develop the known motor vehicles in such a way that, in addition to the display of a brake signal, a display of the vehicle limit in accordance with legal regulations is also possible.

[0007] Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide at least one additional light exit surface on an air guiding device.

[0008] This object is achieved by a motor vehicle having the features of claim 1.

[0009] One idea of ​​the invention according to claim 1 is to provide the air guiding device with at least one light exit surface that can be clearly perceived both by a road user in front of or behind the motor vehicle and by a road user located to the side of the motor vehicle. For this purpose, the air guiding device not only has a light exit surface in a transverse vertical plane (yz plane) of the motor vehicle, but also a light exit surface in a longitudinal vertical plane (xz plane) of the motor vehicle. Advantageously, the two light exit surfaces merge seamlessly into one another. In addition to arranging the light exit surfaces exactly in the yz plane and the xz plane, the invention also encompasses arranging the light exit surfaces outside of these planes if the projection onto the two planes results in significant surface areas in the respective planes.

[0010] The invention makes it possible to display on the air guiding device not only light signals for which, according to legal regulations, visibility in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle is sufficient (as is the case with a brake light, for example), but also light signals that, due to legal regulations, must be visible to a road user next to the motor vehicle. Thus, conventional light signal devices can be eliminated on the motor vehicle according to the invention by integrating them into the air guiding device.

[0011] One advantage here is that with conventional light signal devices, their integration into the outer skin of the motor vehicle results in considerable restrictions in terms of design options. With the invention, in the case of an air guiding device, in particular an air guiding device detached from the outer skin of the motor vehicle, the light signal device can be formed exclusively in the air guiding device, with significantly expanded options with regard to the geometric design of the light signal device. Furthermore, the elimination of the light signal device integrated into the outer skin of the motor vehicle results in additional freedom in the design of the outer skin. Thus, the appearance of the motor vehicle itself and the appearance of the motor vehicle when emitting light signals, in particular at night, can be designed independently and in a novel way.

[0012] The invention can be applied particularly advantageously to rear-mounted air deflectors, as in addition to displaying a braking signal, the vehicle's boundary is also displayed in the air deflector. Legal regulations require that lighting devices also be visible from the side to display the vehicle's boundary. This is not the case with the motor vehicles described in the documents cited above, as these lack light exit surfaces on the front sides of the air deflectors in a yz plane.

[0013] In the context of the present invention, “representation of the vehicle boundary” is understood to mean a front or rear “parking light”, whereby the rear parking light is also referred to as a rear light or position light and emits a red light signal when the lights of the motor vehicle are switched on when stationary or when moving.

[0014] If necessary, a direction indicator can also be advantageously integrated into the air deflector. The integration of a reversing light into the air deflector is also conceivable. This eliminates the need for the corresponding light signal devices in the outer skin of the vehicle's body.

[0015] According to the invention, at least one lateral surface is provided on the air guiding device, which is designed as a light exit surface, so that a comparatively large surface of the air guiding device can emit a light signal with a relatively low luminance. The light signal can be designed, for example, as a position light. The large-area light exit surface allows the appearance of the motor vehicle at night (with the lights switched on) to be designed in a variety of ways, resulting in a novel and distinctive appearance. Use of the large-area light exit surface as a brake light or direction indicator is generally ruled out due to the insufficient luminance.

[0016] The invention supplements the known point- or line-shaped light exit surface with a flat light exit surface. This makes it possible to illuminate a large area of ​​the air guiding device when the light source is activated. The air guiding device, which is illuminated in its entirety or at least in large parts, enables a novel appearance for a motor vehicle. At the same time, the point- or line-shaped light exit surface can be activated on the front side(s) of the air guiding device. Alternatively, it is possible to activate either the outer surface(s) or the front side(s) as the light exit surface.

[0017] As already mentioned, the invention is particularly advantageous when the air guiding device is detached from the outer skin of the motor vehicle, i.e., with the exception of a fastening section (for connection to the motor vehicle), it runs at a distance from the outer skin. Such an air guiding device offers considerable freedom in its design, both from an aerodynamic perspective and with regard to the design of the end face(s) functioning as the light exit surface and / or the orientation of the outer surface(s).

[0018] The at least one light source can, in principle, be formed by any known type of light source, such as incandescent lamps, gas discharge lamps, inorganic or organic light-emitting diodes (LEDs or OLEDs), etc. Particular advantages arise from the use of light-emitting diodes due to their small size, low energy consumption, low cost, and long service life. For a large light-emitting surface, film-like light sources such as OLEDs or electroluminescent films can be used.

[0019] Using at least one light guide, the light generated by a lamp can be distributed in a point-like, linear, or planar manner. The use of light guides allows for a reduction in the number of lamps required. Furthermore, the lamp can be installed at a location farther away from the light-emitting surface.

[0020] The air guiding device can be divided into an opaque section and a transparent section. Preferably, the section with the opaque material serves to attach the air guiding device to the motor vehicle and is thus designed as an "inner section." The section with the transparent material, on the other hand, contains the light exit surface or directly forms it as such. Accordingly, this section is preferably designed as an "outer section." Large-area light exit surfaces according to claim 1, in particular, are advantageously made of a transparent material. Both sections, in their capacity as air guiding devices, are designed according to aerodynamic considerations.

[0021] The opaque section, for example, is made of a metallic material. Aluminum alloys are particularly suitable for this due to their low weight and good thermal conductivity, allowing the heat generated by a light source to be easily dissipated. The transparent section is made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA, "acrylic glass"), for example.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, two or more air guiding devices are provided. The air guiding devices are preferably arranged one above the other. The light exit surfaces of the individual air guiding devices can be assigned to different signal types. It is also possible, with air guiding devices spaced apart from one another, to use at least one outer surface of an air guiding device as a large-area light exit surface. Of course, multiple outer surfaces can also be used as light exit surfaces. Alternatively or additionally, a single air guiding device can be provided with two or more "outer sections". These sections are preferably arranged directly above one another in the manner of a sandwich structure. Alternatively, the sections can also be spaced apart from one another.The end faces of the individual sections do not have to run parallel to each other, which opens up further possibilities in terms of geometric design.

[0023] A possible embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail below. It shows: Fig. 1 a perspective view of an air guiding device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a side view of the air guiding device of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a plan view of the air guiding device of Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a rear view of the air guiding device of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 a rear view of a motor vehicle according to the invention with an air guiding device according to Fig. 1, Fig. 6 a side view of the rear area of ​​the motor vehicle of Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the rear area of ​​the motor vehicle of Fig. 5.

[0024] An air guiding device designated as a whole by 4 is mounted on a Fig. 1 to 4 not shown in detail. In the case of the Fig. The area of ​​the motor vehicle 2 depicted in hatched lines in FIG. 1 is the left rear area of ​​the motor vehicle 2. The air guiding device 4 is detached from the outer skin of the motor vehicle 2. The fastening area by which the air guiding device 4 is connected to the motor vehicle 2 is designated 6. The specific course of the fastening area 6 results from the contour of the outer skin in this area.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows the air guiding device 4 in perspective view, while the Fig. 2 to 4 show the air guiding device 4 in the view from the side or above the motor vehicle 2 or from behind the motor vehicle 2. In the rear view according to Fig. 4 results in an indicated L-shaped course of the front side 10 of the air guiding device 4, with a short section running diagonally upwards to the left and a long horizontal section.

[0026] The air guiding device 4 consists of an opaque section 20 and a transparent section 30. Section 20 is made of aluminum and has several elevations 22 on its upper side. Section 20 is attached to the motor vehicle 2 in the fastening area 6, for example, by adhesive bonding. Section 30 directly adjoins section 20 in the form of a relatively wide, transparent edge strip made of acrylic glass.

[0027] At section 30, the aforementioned end face 10 is formed as the free end of the air guiding device 4 along the entire extent of the air guiding device 4. The end face 10 extends from the frontmost point 12 of the air guiding device 4 along the curved lateral or rear outer edge of the air guiding device 4 via the rearmost point 14 to the inner end point 16.

[0028] Section 20 accommodates not-shown light sources in the form of light-emitting diodes. The light emitted by the light-emitting diodes is guided via not-shown light guides to several locations on the end face 10 of section 20. Furthermore, a not-shown light source is introduced into the lateral surface 32 of the section.

[0029] This introduction of light creates, on the one hand, a light exit surface 40 in the end face 10 of the air guiding device 4, from which light emerges with a comparatively high luminance. The light exit surface 40 can, for example, be designed in the form of several consecutive illuminated points or as a continuous illuminated line. This type of lighting serves, for example, as a position light, a brake light, or a direction indicator. On the other hand, a light exit surface 50 is formed on the lateral surface 32 of the section 30, from which light emerges with a comparatively low luminance. The light exit can occur on the top and / or underside of the lateral surface 32. This type of lighting serves, for example, as a large-area position light.

[0030] Alternatively, the light can also be coupled into the area where section 30 adjoins section 20 of the air guiding device 4 via one or more illuminants (not shown). The light exits at the opposite end face 10 in a directed manner with a comparatively high luminance and forms the light exit surface 40. Upon passing through the transparent section 30 of the air guiding device 4, scattered light exits at the upper and lower lateral surfaces 32, creating a large-area light exit surface 50 with a comparatively low luminance. In this embodiment, the light exit surfaces 40 and 50 are activated together.

[0031] Not shown is a further embodiment of the invention in which two or more sections 30 are arranged one above the other in the manner of a sandwich structure, with the light exit surfaces 40 of the end faces 10 being assigned to different signal types. Thus, for example, an air guiding device 4 can be realized in which linear light exit surfaces 40 are arranged one above the other for a brake signal, a position light, a direction indicator, etc.

[0032] Both sections 20 and 30 act as air guide surfaces and are designed according to aerodynamic considerations. In the present motor vehicle 2, the air guide device 4 is also provided in a mirror-symmetrical form on the right side of the vehicle. Furthermore, two or more separate air guide devices 4 designed according to the invention can be arranged one above the other on each side of the vehicle.

[0033] The Fig. 5 to 7 show a motor vehicle 2 according to the invention in various views. The air guiding devices 4 are arranged in the rear area of ​​the motor vehicle 2 axially symmetrically to a longitudinal center plane of the motor vehicle 2, surrounded by further air guiding devices 60 and 62. The air guiding devices 4, 60 and 62 are detached from the outer skin of the motor vehicle 2, forming, so to speak, further planes of the outer skin, as can be seen from the Fig. 5 to 7. The air flow 64 which is generated when the motor vehicle 2 is moving and which is channelled by the two air flow devices 60 and 62 is additionally directed in an aerodynamically advantageous manner by the air flow device 4. The air flow device 60 extends from the roof area to the rear end of the motor vehicle 2 and is guided inwards around the air flow device 4. The air flow device 62 extends from the lateral rear wheel area (in Fig. 7 shows a left rear wheel 70 of the motor vehicle 2) and upwards close to the lateral section of the air guiding device 60.

[0034] The fastening area 6 is in Fig. 7. The indicated L-shape of the air guiding device 4 is derived from the Fig. 5 to 7 clearly show this.

[0035] In summary, the invention can be described as follows: A motor vehicle 2 according to the invention has at least one air guiding device 4 in the rear area, which has a front side 10 with a light exit surface 40 that is visible from both the rear and the side of the motor vehicle 2. Furthermore, the air guiding device 4 has at least one lateral surface 32, which is also designed as a light exit surface 50.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle with an air guiding device which has at least one illuminant, with a light exit surface on at least one end face of the air guiding device, wherein the end face with its light exit surface extends at least partially both in a yz-plane and in an xz-plane of the motor vehicle, characterized by that light with a comparatively high luminance emerges from the end face (10), wherein the air guiding device (4) has at least one lateral surface (32) with a large-area light exit surface (50) along this lateral surface (32), from which light with a comparatively low luminance emerges. [2] Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized by that the air guiding device (4) is formed at the rear and lighting means are provided in the front side (10) which, on the one hand, generate a light signal to represent the vehicle boundary and, on the other hand, a light signal to represent a braking signal. [3] Motor vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the lamps in the front side (10) generate a light signal to represent a direction indicator. [4] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the light exit surface (50) in the lateral surface (32) generates a light signal to represent the vehicle boundary. [5] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the air guiding device (4) is detached from the outer skin of the motor vehicle (2) over a large part of its extent. [6] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the light source is formed by at least one light-emitting diode. [7] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one light guide is provided which guides the light generated by the illuminant into the region of the light exit surface (40; 50). [8] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the air guiding device (4) has a section (20) facing the body of the motor vehicle (2) made of an opaque material and an outer section (30) made of a transparent material. [9] Motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the air guiding device (4) has two or more end faces (10), each of which represents a light exit surface (40). [10] Motor vehicle according to claim 9, characterized by that the individual end faces (10) are arranged vertically one above the other.

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