Optical fiber arrangement

Abstract

Optical fiber arrangement (20) comprising a first annular optical fiber (21), comprising at least one second optical fiber (22), wherein the at least one second optical fiber (22) is connected to the first optical fiber (21), wherein the second optical fiber (22) has a directional component pointing in the circumferential direction of the first optical fiber (21) and the second optical fiber (22) has a second directional component perpendicular to the plane spanned by the first optical fiber (21), wherein the second optical fiber (22) has a first end region (23) and a second end region (24),wherein the first end region (23) is connected to or merges into the first light guide (21) and the second end region (24) projects perpendicularly to the plane spanned by the first light guide (21) and wherein a gap (26) is provided between the first end region (23) and the second end region (24) of the second light guide (22) or between the second end region (24) of the second light guide (22) and the first light guide (21), into which a blocking element (30) projects.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a light guide arrangement, in particular for use in an interior light of motor vehicles. State of the art

[0002] Light guide arrangements are well known in the prior art; see, for example, DE 10 2007 016 923 A1 or DE 10 2011 076 621 A1. They are used, for example, in motor vehicles for headlights or taillights, where they are employed in a variety of ways, such as daytime running lights, taillights, or brake lights. Light guides are also known for use in vehicle interiors, where they serve as ambient lighting or reading lights.

[0003] When using circular, ring-shaped light guides, a current problem arises: light coupling into the circular light guide occurs via secondary light guides arranged perpendicular to the circular light guide. These secondary light guides contain deflecting triangles that scatter the light and shield it from direct forward view of the light source at the end of the secondary light guides. The areas below or in front of these deflecting triangles are problematic with regard to luminance because they exhibit either excessively dark or excessively bright spots. This results in the light guide appearing unevenly illuminated, which is undesirable.

[0004] Ring-shaped light guides are also known from EP 1 509 781 B1, which are designed as open rings with an LED light source arranged at the open ends. However, this means that the ring-shaped light guide is not recognizable as a continuous ring, which is sometimes undesirable for design reasons.

[0005] DE 10 2007 057 941 A1 also discloses an annular optical fiber that has a coupling element projecting in the radial direction, at which a light source couples light into the coupling element and thus into the annular optical fiber via a coupling surface. In applications of annular optical fibers, radial installation space is often limited, so such a solution is often not feasible.

[0006] DE 10 2008 042 472 A1 and DE 10 2008 021 290 A1 disclose a light guide arrangement with a first ring-shaped light guide which is designed in a ring shape and has a v-shaped coupling area with two v-shaped diverging arms, wherein an approximately triangular window is provided between the arms. Description of the invention, problem, solution, advantages

[0007] The object of the invention is to create a light guide arrangement that is cost-effective yet provides improved illumination.

[0008] The solution to the problem is achieved with the features of claim 1.

[0009] One embodiment of the invention relates to an optical fiber arrangement comprising a first annular optical fiber and at least one second optical fiber, wherein the at least one second optical fiber is connected to the first optical fiber, the second optical fiber having a directional component pointing in the circumferential direction of the first optical fiber and a second directional component perpendicular to the plane spanned by the first optical fiber. This creates a spiral path in the circumferential direction while simultaneously approaching the first optical fiber axially. This allows light to be supplied to the at least one second optical fiber by means of a light source at an end face of the second optical fiber, propagating along the second optical fiber and transitioning into the annular first optical fiber.This first ring-shaped light guide has at least one ring-shaped surface that serves as the light exit point to achieve illumination. The design and shape of the second light guide ensure that no excessively dark or bright areas occur, so that the first light guide does not appear unevenly illuminated.

[0010] According to the invention, the second optical fiber has a first end region and a second end region, wherein the first end region is connected to or merges into the first optical fiber and the second end region projects perpendicularly to the plane spanned by the first optical fiber. This allows the second optical fiber to transmit the light coupled into it to the annular optical fiber and simultaneously achieve, with a small radial installation space, a light input that results in uniform illumination of the first optical fiber.

[0011] According to the invention, the second light guide has a first end region and a second end region, wherein a gap is provided between the first end region and the second end region of the second light guide or between the second end region of the second light guide and the first light guide, into which a blocking element projects.

[0012] It is advantageous if the second optical fiber has a height that decreases from the second end region towards the first end region. This allows for a smooth transition from the second optical fiber to the first.

[0013] It is particularly advantageous if the height in the first end region is reduced to essentially zero. This allows the second light guide to transition into the first light guide virtually seamlessly, resulting in uniform illumination of the first light guide.

[0014] It is also advantageous if the second optical fiber extends within a predefined angular range of the first optical fiber. This allows the propagation of the optical fiber to be defined in the circumferential direction, so that the light coupling from the second optical fiber to the first optical fiber can occur over a defined angular range, which promotes uniform light distribution.

[0015] It is particularly advantageous if, in the case of N second optical fibers, the extension of the second optical fiber lies within a predefined angular range of approximately 360° / N or less, with N = 1, 2, 3, 4, ...etc. This allows for a uniform distribution of the coupling areas across the ring region. This promotes uniform illumination of the first ring-shaped optical fiber.

[0016] It is advantageous if the angular distance between the second end regions of the second light guide is approximately 360° / N, with N = 1, 2, 3, 4, ...etc. This also ensures uniform illumination of the first light guide.

[0017] It is also advantageous if the cross-section of the second optical fiber is square, rectangular, oval, or round. This promotes good reflection for the transmission of light rays in the ring-shaped optical fiber.

[0018] It is particularly advantageous if the first light guide is round, oval, or rectangular, preferably being flat. This allows for good illumination through the ring-shaped light guide.

[0019] It is also particularly advantageous if the first optical fiber has a diffuser located on the side facing away from the second optical fiber. In this way, the diffuser area can be milky, while the first optical fiber is made of a clear, transparent material.

[0020] Further advantageous embodiments are described by the following figure description and by the dependent claims. Brief description of the drawings

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below based on at least one embodiment and with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic view of a ring-shaped optical fiber arrangement according to the state of the art, Fig. 2 an arrangement of a ring-shaped light guide arrangement in a housing of a motor vehicle interior light, Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of a ring-shaped light guide arrangement according to the invention, and Fig. 4 another schematic view of the ring-shaped light guide arrangement according to Fig. 3. Preferred embodiment of the invention

[0022] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a prior art optical fiber arrangement 1 comprising a first annular optical fiber 2 and two linearly arranged second optical fibers 3. The optical fiber 2 is annular and circular, lying in a plane. The optical fibers 3 project vertically upwards from this circular annular optical fiber 2, with the second optical fibers 3 projecting perpendicularly to the plane of the first optical fiber 2. At their lower ends, the second optical fibers 3 widen into a triangular shape, with triangular prisms 6 arranged centrally in the triangular end regions 5. These prisms scatter the light coming from above along the second optical fibers 3 towards the annular first optical fiber 1. Light effects occur, particularly directly below or adjacent to the prisms 6, resulting in inhomogeneous illumination of the annular optical fiber.

[0023] At the upper flat end 4 of the second light guide 3, flat coupling surfaces 7 are provided, at which light from LED light sources 8 is coupled into the second light guide.

[0024] The Fig. Figure 2 shows an arrangement 10 of an annular light guide assembly 11 in a housing 12, in particular a vehicle interior light. The light guide assembly 11 is arranged such that only the annular light guide is exposed at its flat end region by the housing 12. Furthermore, a connector 13 is visible on the housing 12 for controlling the light sources of the light guide assembly 11 and supplying them with the supply voltage.

[0025] The Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows a light guide arrangement 20 according to the invention, comprising a first ring-shaped light guide 21 and at least one second light guide 22. The first light guide 21 is essentially laid in or spanning a plane. It is preferably round, oval, or polygonal and is preferably formed as a closed ring.

[0026] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 Two second light guides 22 are provided, whereby only one second light guide 22 or more than two second light guides 22, such as in particular N second light guides with N ,= 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 etc., may be provided.

[0027] The at least one second light guide 22 or the second light guides 22 are connected to the first light guide 21. This can also mean that the first light guide 21 is formed as a single unit with the second light guide(s) 22, as is particularly the case when manufactured as an injection-molded part.

[0028] The second optical fiber 22 is curved or spirally shaped such that it originates from a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane of the first optical fiber 21 and transitions into the plane of the first optical fiber 21 in an arc, with the second optical fiber 22 following the curvature of the first optical fiber in the plane, in particular following the path of the first optical fiber. The second optical fiber 22 has a directional component that points in the circumferential direction of the first optical fiber and also has a second directional component that is perpendicular to the plane spanned by the first optical fiber 21. This defines the spiral shape.The second optical fiber 22 transitions from a vertical path at an approximately right angle to an approximately horizontal path with decreasing height, whereby the second optical fiber 22 follows the path of the first optical fiber 21, in particular following the arc of the first optical fiber 21. The projection of the second optical fiber 22 from above onto the first optical fiber 21 therefore always lies approximately on the first optical fiber 21.

[0029] The second optical fiber 22 has a first end region 23 and a second end region 24, wherein the first end region 23 is connected to or transitions into the first optical fiber 21, and the second end region 24 projects perpendicularly to the plane spanned by the first optical fiber 21. The second end region thus serves to couple the light from a light source 28 into the optical fiber arrangement 20 via a coupling surface 25, while the first end region 23 serves to couple the light into the first optical fiber. A gap 26 is provided between the second end region 24 and the first optical fiber 21, which prevents direct light transmission between the coupling surface 25 and the first optical fiber. This gap 26 is open on one side and is bounded by the transition between the first optical fiber 21 and the second optical fiber 22. The gap 26 is therefore preferably tongue-shaped.However, he may also have other training.

[0030] Optionally and advantageously, a blocking element 30 projects into the gap 26, preventing the passage or coupling of light across the gap 26 from the second end region 24 to the first light guide 21. For this purpose, the blocking element 30 is preferably designed as a reflector, aperture, and / or housing. The blocking element 30 is preferably opaque and optionally even reflective. It can be coated, sprayed white or colored, chrome-plated, vapor-deposited, etc. This reflects the light exiting the second end region 24 of the second light guide 22 back into this second light guide 22, thus improving efficiency.

[0031] The light source 28 is preferably an LED light source, which is supported by a carrier 29.

[0032] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows that the second optical fiber 22 has a height h which decreases from the second end region 24 towards the first end region 23. The height therefore decreases essentially continuously, that is, preferably without a step. The height h of the second optical fiber 22 is reduced to essentially zero in the first end region 23. This is shown in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 also recognizable by the fact that the second light guide 22 transitions into the first light guide at an angle.

[0033] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 further shows that the second optical fiber 22 extends within a predefined angular range of the first optical fiber 21. This means that the two second optical fibers 22 extend within an angular range of approximately 180°.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment with N second optical fibers 22, the extension of the second optical fibers would be provided in a predefined angular range of approximately 360° / N, with N = 1, 2, 3, 4, ...etc. This means that with three second optical fibers 22, their extension in the plane would be in an angular range of 120°. With four second optical fibers 22, their extension in the plane would be in an angular range of approximately 90°, etc.

[0035] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 further shows that the angular distance between the second end regions is 24 = 180°. With N second optical fibers, the angular distance between the second end regions would be approximately 360° / N, with N = 1, 2, 3, 4, ...etc.

[0036] The cross-section of the second optical fiber 22 is preferably angular, such as square or rectangular. However, it can also be shaped differently, such as oval or round.

[0037] It is also advantageous if the first light guide is round, oval or rectangular, with the first light guide preferably being flat.

[0038] Furthermore, it can be seen that a diffuser 27 is provided on the underside, i.e., on the side of the first light guide 21 that deflects away from the second light guides. This diffuser is preferably formed integrally with the first light guide or attached to it, such as by joining it using two-component technology, by injection molding, or by forming it with the first light guide using a two-component injection molding process. The diffuser 27 is also ring-shaped. The diffuser 27 is preferably milky. The first light guide 21 is preferably clear. Reference symbol list 1 Light guide arrangement 2 first light guide 3 second light guide 4 End 5 End area 6 prisms 7 Coupling area 8 LED light source 10 Arrangement 11 Fiber optic arrangement 12 cases 13 Plug connection 20 Light guide arrangement 21 first light guide 22 second light guide 23 first end area 24 second end range 25 coupling area 26 columns 27 Diffuser 28 Light source 29 carriers 30 blocking element

Claims

[1] Optical fiber arrangement (20) comprising a first annular optical fiber (21), comprising at least one second optical fiber (22), wherein the at least one second optical fiber (22) is connected to the first optical fiber (21), wherein the second optical fiber (22) has a directional component pointing in the circumferential direction of the first optical fiber (21) and the second optical fiber (22) has a second directional component perpendicular to the plane spanned by the first optical fiber (21), wherein the second optical fiber (22) has a first end region (23) and a second end region (24),wherein the first end region (23) is connected to or merges into the first light guide (21) and the second end region (24) projects perpendicularly to the plane spanned by the first light guide (21) and wherein a gap (26) is provided between the first end region (23) and the second end region (24) of the second light guide (22) or between the second end region (24) of the second light guide (22) and the first light guide (21), into which a blocking element (30) projects. [2] Optical fiber arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by , that the second optical fiber (22) has a height (h) which decreases from the second end region (24) towards the first end region (23), with the height (h) in the first end region (23) being reduced to essentially zero. [3] Optical fiber arrangement according to one of the preceding claims 1 or 2, characterized by, that the second optical fiber (22) extends within a predefined angular range of the first optical fiber (21). [4] Optical fiber arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that for N second optical fibers (22) the extension of the second optical fibers (22) lies in a predefined angular range of approximately 360° / N, with N = 1, 2, 3, 4, ...etc. [5] Optical fiber arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the angular distance of the second end regions (24) of the second optical fiber (22) is approximately 360° / N, with N = 1, 2, 3, 4, ...etc. [6] Optical fiber arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that the cross-section of the second optical fiber (22) is square, rectangular, oval or round. [7] Optical fiber arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the first optical fiber (21) is round, oval or rectangular, wherein the first optical fiber (21) is preferably planar. [8] Optical fiber arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first light guide (21) has a diffuser (27) which is arranged on the side facing away from the second light guides (22).

Images