Lighting element and speaker for a motor vehicle

Abstract

Lighting element (12) for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising - a diffuser (26) with a first section and a second section, wherein the second section extends from the first section towards an interior of the motor vehicle; - an elongated light guide (27) which is arranged in the direction of the interior of the motor vehicle with respect to the first section, wherein the light guide (27) is at least partially enclosed in the diffuser (26); and - a reflector (18) with a first section and with a second section, wherein the second section extends from the first section towards the interior of the motor vehicle, wherein the first section of the reflector (18) is arranged relative to the first section of the diffuser (26) towards the exterior of the motor vehicle, wherein both the first section and the second section of the reflector (18) have a reflective surface (20) which faces the light guide (27) and which is designed to reflect light from the light guide (27) towards the interior of the motor vehicle, wherein the diffuser (26) is arranged in an optical path between the light guide (27) and the reflective surfaces (20) of the first section and the second section of the reflector (18), such that the light reflected from the reflective surfaces (20) passes through the diffuser (26) from the light guide (27) before being reflected, and wherein the reflective surfaces (20) of the first section and the second section of the reflector (18) are roughened to diffusely reflect the light from the light guide (27).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lighting element for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising an elongated light guide, a diffuser, wherein the light guide is at least partially accommodated in the diffuser, and a reflector which is arranged on an inner side of the diffuser and has a reflection surface facing the light guide, wherein the reflector is designed to reflect light from the light guide to an outer side of the light guide.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a loudspeaker for a motor vehicle having a loudspeaker grille covering the loudspeaker and a lighting element at least partially surrounding the loudspeaker.

[0003] In modern motor vehicles, ring-shaped light guides are sometimes arranged in exposed positions, for example on loudspeakers. These light guides emit white or colored light through a diffuser and surround, for example, a loudspeaker grille or other electrical component to create indirect ambient lighting. A diffuser attached to the light guide homogenizes the light, which then hits a reflector and is evenly distributed throughout the room. Residual light that escapes to the interior is usually reflected by a white carrier material and fed into the ambient lighting. This carrier material simultaneously prevents light from being emitted, for example, through the loudspeaker grille, which would otherwise be visible on the grille.

[0004] However, when viewing the light guide or speaker from a flat angle, a dark spot appears around sharp corners or bends in the light guide, where the reflected light is reflected into the vehicle's footwell. This can detract from the aesthetics of the vehicle interior and create a low-quality appearance.

[0005] DE 10 2012 106 472 A1 discloses a lighting element with an elongated light guide, a diffuser, wherein the light guide is at least partially accommodated in the diffuser, and a reflector arranged on an inner side of the diffuser and having a reflective surface facing the light guide. The reflector is configured to reflect light from the light guide to an outer side of the light guide. The reflector has a rough reflective surface for diffusely reflecting light from the light guide.

[0006] Further lighting elements are known from US 2012 / 0 275 745 A1, DE 10 2014 113 355 A1, US 2007 / 0 002 567 A1, US 2011 / 0 170 304 A1 and DE 10 2014 212 148 A1.

[0007] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a uniform emission of light through the reflector so that a uniform illumination can be provided.

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

[0009] This object is achieved in the loudspeaker for a motor vehicle mentioned at the outset by a lighting element according to the present invention.

[0010] According to claim 1, a lighting element for an interior of a motor vehicle is provided, comprising - a diffuser having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion extending from the first portion toward an interior of the motor vehicle; - an elongated light guide arranged in relation to the first section towards the interior of the motor vehicle, the light guide being at least partially accommodated in the diffuser; and - a reflector having a first portion and a second portion, wherein the second portion extends from the first portion toward the interior of the motor vehicle, wherein the first portion of the reflector is arranged relative to the first portion of the diffuser toward the exterior of the motor vehicle, wherein both the first portion and the second portion of the reflector have a reflective surface facing the light guide and configured to reflect light from the light guide toward the interior of the motor vehicle, wherein the diffuser is arranged in an optical path between the light guide and the reflective surfaces of the first portion and the second portion of the reflector, such that the light reflected from the reflective surfaces passes from the light guide through the diffuser before being reflected, and wherein the reflective surfaces of the first portion and the second portion of the reflector are roughened to diffusely reflect the light from the light guide.

[0011] Because both the first and second sections of the reflector have a rough reflective surface, light hitting any section of the reflector is diffusely emitted in all different directions, ensuring that every section of the reflector, and accordingly every section of the speaker surround, emits light. This eliminates dark spots around sharp corners or bends in the speaker surround, ensuring uniform illumination.

[0012] The object of the present invention is thus completely achieved.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the lighting element has a light-tight element on the outside of the light guide to prevent direct light irradiation to the outside of the light guide.

[0014] This can prevent radiation from shining through a component of the motor vehicle surrounded by the lighting element, in particular from shining through a loudspeaker.

[0015] It is particularly preferred if the light-tight element has a reflective layer facing the light guide.

[0016] As a result, light leaks towards the outside of the lighting element can generally be reliably and easily prevented, while at the same time the light emitted towards the outside by the light guide is reflected to the reflector and can be supplied accordingly to the ambient lighting of the interior of the motor vehicle.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the reflection surfaces of the first section and the second section of the reflector have scars which are designed to diffusely reflect the light from the light guide.

[0018] This allows a diffuse reflection of the light to be achieved using simple means, preventing the light from being reflected to a distant point in the vehicle, for example into the footwell.

[0019] In an alternative embodiment, the reflection surfaces of the first section and the second section of the reflector have a matt coating which is designed to diffusely reflect the light from the light guide.

[0020] This allows a particularly uniform treatment of the reflection surfaces of the first section and the second section of the reflector, whereby the light is reflected evenly and diffusely.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, the reflection surfaces of the first section and the second section of the reflector are not galvanized.

[0022] This allows diffuse reflection to be achieved with little technical effort.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the reflection surfaces of the first section and the second section of the reflector have a structure which is designed to diffusely reflect the light from the light guide.

[0024] This allows a targeted diffuse reflection to be achieved, while at the same time the reflector creates a pleasant and high-quality appearance in the bright light room.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the lighting element is designed as a border of a loudspeaker.

[0026] This can provide pleasant interior lighting for the vehicle and indirect ambient light, which generally increases the impression of quality of the speakers and the interior.

[0027] Overall, the lighting element can provide a uniform, indirect ambient light in the form of a light strip in the interior of a motor vehicle, with consistent, uniform illumination or brightness being provided at bends or curves in the light strip. This creates an attractive and high-quality appearance for the light strip and the associated element in the vehicle.

[0028] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention. Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. They show: Fig. 1a, b two schematic drawings of a loudspeaker of a motor vehicle with a lighting element; Fig. 2a a schematic sectional view of the lighting element for the loudspeaker from Fig. 1; Fig. 2b a schematic, perspective exploded view of the lighting element from Fig. 2a; Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a reflector with a dark spot; Fig. 4 a perspective view of an illuminated reflector with roughened reflection surfaces; and Fig. 5a, b a loudspeaker with a loudspeaker grille and a lighting element that has structures to diffusely reflect the light.

[0029] In Fig. 1a, a loudspeaker for the interior of a motor vehicle is shown in a plan view and is generally designated by 10. The loudspeaker 10 has an elongated illumination element, which is generally designated by 12. The loudspeaker 10 further has a loudspeaker grille 14 and a frame 16. The elongated illumination element 12 is in the Fig. 1a shown plan view between the loudspeaker grille 14 and the frame 16. In the Fig. 1, the lighting element 12 is surrounded in the Fig. 1, the loudspeaker grille is completely covered, so that the lighting element 12 forms a polygon around the loudspeaker grille 14.

[0030] The lighting element 12 can emit white or colored light and emits indirect ambient light which is reflected by a reflector as explained in more detail below.

[0031] In Fig. 1b is a schematic partial view of the loudspeaker 10 of Fig. 1a. A dark spot is created at the upper corner of the polygon formed by the lighting element 12 because the angle of incidence of the light onto the reflector is unfavorably oriented relative to the observer. As a result, the light irradiated onto this corner point radiates in the direction of the footwell of the motor vehicle, so that this area appears dark from the perspective of the occupants. To remedy this phenomenon, according to the invention, reflective surfaces 20 of a first section and a second section of a reflector 18 are roughened at least at these points, so that the light from these sections of the reflector 18 is diffusely emitted into the interior of the motor vehicle, and the dark spot thus appears bright. The roughening of the reflective surfaces 20 of the first section and the second section of the reflector 18 can be achieved by graining the reflective surfaces, applying a matte finish, non-galvanizing, or structuring the reflector 18.

[0032] In Fig. Figure 2a shows a schematic sectional view of the lighting element 12 and a portion of the loudspeaker 10. A curved reflector 18 is mounted on the frame 16 of the loudspeaker 10 and protrudes radially from the loudspeaker grille 14. The reflector 18 is bent toward an outer side of the loudspeaker 10, creating curved reflection surfaces 20 of the first section and the second section of the reflector 18, which circumferentially surround the loudspeaker grille 14 in a plan view.

[0033] Furthermore, a support 22, to which the loudspeaker grille 14 is attached, is mounted on the frame 16. A light guide 27, which is at least partially surrounded by a diffuser 26, is arranged between the support 22 and the reflector 18. The diffuser 26 is arranged between the light guide 27 and the reflective surfaces 20 of the first section and the second section of the reflector 18 in order to diffusely scatter the light from the light guide 27 and accordingly enable diffuse emission of the light through the reflector 18. The support 22 has a reflective layer on its inner side, which is assigned to the light guide 27, in order to be opaque and accordingly prevent light from radiating through the loudspeaker grille 14 into the interior.

[0034] In Fig. Figure 2b shows an exploded view of the frame 16, the reflector 18, the diffuser 26, the light guide 27, a light source 28 and the loudspeaker grille 14.

[0035] In order to guarantee diffuse reflection by the reflection surfaces 20 of the first section and the second section of the reflector 18, the reflection surfaces 20 of the first section and the second section of the reflector 18 are roughened.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the reflector 18 with a dark spot in the area of ​​a bend in the reflector 18, which is caused by insufficient scattering of the light from the light guide 27 at the diffuser 26. Light rays 30 of the emitted light from the light guide 27 are in Fig. 3 is shown schematically.

[0037] In Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the reflector 18, in which the reflection surfaces 20 of the first section and the second section of the reflector 18 are roughened, so that the dark spot, as shown in Fig. 3, due to diffuse reflection of the light rays 30. Due to the diffuse scattering, a uniform light emission through the reflector 18 is possible even in the area of ​​kinks or the like.

[0038] In Fig. Figure 5a shows a schematic perspective view of the loudspeaker 10 with the structuring of the reflection surfaces 20 of the first section and the second section of the reflector 18. The reflector 18 accordingly has a pattern of recesses that enable diffuse light emission of the light rays 30 of the light guide 27. The structuring of the reflector 18 can have any desired structures to enable appropriate diffuse scattering of the light while simultaneously providing a high-quality appearance in the bright state under appropriate ambient light.

[0039] In Fig. Figure 5b shows an example of a special structuring of the reflection surfaces 20 of the first section and the second section of the reflector 18 in order to achieve a diffuse scattering of the light.

Claims

[1] Lighting element (12) for an interior of a motor vehicle, comprising - a diffuser (26) having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion extending from the first portion toward an interior of the motor vehicle; - an elongated light guide (27) arranged in relation to the first section in the direction of the interior of the motor vehicle, wherein the light guide (27) is at least partially accommodated in the diffuser (26); and - a reflector (18) having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion extending from the first portion toward the interior of the motor vehicle, the first portion of the reflector (18) being arranged relative to the first portion of the diffuser (26) toward the exterior of the motor vehicle, wherein both the first section and the second section of the reflector (18) have a reflection surface (20) which faces the light guide (27) and which is designed to reflect light from the light guide (27) towards the interior of the motor vehicle, wherein the diffuser (26) is arranged in an optical path between the light guide (27) and the reflection surfaces (20) of the first section and the second section of the reflector (18) such that the light reflected by the reflection surfaces (20) from the light guide (27) passes through the diffuser (26) before being reflected, and wherein the reflection surfaces (20) of the first section and the second section of the reflector (18) are roughened to diffusely reflect the light from the light guide (27). [2] Lighting element (12) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the lighting element (12) has a light-tight element (22) on the outside of the light guide (27), which is designed to prevent direct light irradiation from the light guide (27). [3] Lighting element (12) according to claim 2, characterized by that the light-tight element (22) has a reflective layer facing the light guide (27). [4] Lighting element (12) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the reflection surfaces (20) of the first section and the second section of the reflector (18) have scars which are designed to diffusely reflect the light from the light guide (27). [5] Lighting element (12) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the reflection surfaces (20) of the first section and the second section of the reflector (18) have a matt coating which is designed to diffusely reflect the light from the light guide (27). [6] Lighting element (12) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the reflection surfaces (20) of the first section and the second section of the reflector (18) have a structure which is designed to diffusely reflect the light from the light guide (27). [7] Lighting element (12) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the lighting element (12) is designed as a border of a loudspeaker (10). [8] Loudspeaker (10) for a motor vehicle, comprising a loudspeaker grille (14) covering the loudspeaker (10) and a lighting element (12) according to one of claims 1 to 7, which at least partially surrounds the loudspeaker (10).

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