Mounting arrangement of a signaling device in the interior of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Fastening arrangement of a signaling device (8) in an interior of a motor vehicle, with at least one light signal element (12) which is fastened behind a windshield (5) of the motor vehicle by means of a holding device, wherein the light signal element (12) is fastened by means of the holding device in the region of an A-pillar (7) and at the level of a rear edge (3) of a front hood (4) of the motor vehicle, characterized in that the light signal element (12) bears against an inner side of the windshield (5), wherein the light signal element (12) has a housing (13) which adjoins at least substantially flush with an inner panel (9) of the A-pillar (7), and wherein the holding device is fastened to a shell element of the A-pillar (7).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fastening arrangement of a signaling device in an interior of a motor vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Such a fastening arrangement with at least one light signal element is already known from US 2002 / 0 109 999 A1. The light signal element is attached behind a windshield of a motor vehicle by means of a holding device. When the signaling device is activated, the at least one light signal element is visible from outside the motor vehicle, whereas the at least one light signal element is not clearly visible from outside the motor vehicle if the signaling device is not in operation.

[0003] There are also retrofit solutions where a plastic housing for the light signal element can be attached to the inside of the windshield using suction cups. Power is supplied manually via the cigarette lighter or another power source.

[0004] Finally, DE 10 2008 005 899 A1 discloses a direction indicator mounted in the A-pillar of a passenger car.

[0005] Further prior art is known from US 2002 / 0 048 174 A1, DE 10 2010 010 383 A1 and DE 10 2006 056 058 A1.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to design a fastening arrangement of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that emergency vehicles are particularly easily recognizable for road users.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a fastening arrangement of a signaling device in an interior of a motor vehicle having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] To improve the visibility of emergency vehicles for road users, the fastening arrangement according to the invention provides for the light signal element to be fastened by means of the holding device in the region of an A-pillar and at least substantially at the level of a rear edge of a bonnet of the motor vehicle. The at least one light signal element, which is also referred to as a windshield flasher, is preferably integrated directly into the A-pillar or its interior paneling and arranged on both the driver's side and the passenger's side. It is attached at least substantially at the level of the rear edge of the bonnet of the motor vehicle.This ensures that the light emitted by the light signal element during operation is emitted essentially above the front hood in a manner that is clearly visible to road users, while at the same time ensuring that a corresponding light signal can be better perceived, for example, via the rear-view mirrors or the side mirror of a vehicle driving ahead.

[0009] This fastening arrangement according to the invention also has the advantage of increased safety in the event of an accident, in particular a rear-end collision, since the light signal element is at least substantially integrated into the A-pillar. Furthermore, the visibility of the vehicle occupants is less restricted by the design according to the invention than with the use of previously known signaling devices mounted on the central signal level. Due to the installation of the signaling device at least substantially near the respective exterior mirror and thus close to the respective vehicle exterior, the recognizability of the emergency vehicle is significantly increased. Furthermore, corrosion or similar wear of the components is reduced by installation in the interior, and a reproducible arrangement of the light signal element is ensured.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the retaining device is at least substantially concealed by an interior panel of the A-pillar. According to the invention, the light signal element is directly and thus particularly securely attached to the A-pillar by means of the retaining device.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the light signal element is at least partially concealed by an interior panel. The light signal element can be partially or completely concealed by an interior panel of the A-pillar. Alternatively, the light signal element can be partially or completely concealed by an interior panel of the motor vehicle that does not correspond to the interior panel of the A-pillar.

[0012] According to the invention, the light signal element rests against the inside of the windshield. A collar constructed around the windshield flasher prevents the flasher from emitting light into the vehicle interior. This results in, for example, very few light reflections caused by the light signal element being reflected into the vehicle interior and thus reaching the eyes of the vehicle occupants. This enables particularly good visibility for the vehicle occupants when the signaling device is in operation.

[0013] According to the invention, the light signal element has a housing that is at least substantially flush with the interior trim of the A-pillar. This design enables an even better view of the vehicle occupants when the signaling device is in operation, since this design ensures that very few, if any, light reflections caused by the light signal element enter the interior of the vehicle and thus the view of the vehicle occupants.

[0014] In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, a device for supplying power to the light signal element is concealed by the interior paneling of the A-pillar. This not only results in a particularly attractive appearance for the interior of the emergency vehicle, but also places the power supply device out of the vehicle's field of vision. Furthermore, the power supply device is better protected from damage due to its concealment behind the interior paneling of the vehicle.

[0015] Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures, and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures, can be used not only in the respective combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own.

[0016] The invention will now be explained in more detail using a preferred embodiment and with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 a perspective front view of an emergency vehicle with a warning device with a plurality of signal devices at the height of respective signal levels; Fig. 2 a further perspective front view of an alternative emergency vehicle with a signaling device with a warning device with a plurality of signaling devices at the level of respective signal levels; and Fig. 3 a partial perspective view of the fastening arrangement according to the invention of one of the signaling devices in the area of ​​an A-pillar.

[0017] One in Fig. 1 The emergency vehicle in the form of an SUV shown in a perspective front view has a warning device according to the prior art, which serves for the optical and, if necessary, acoustic warning and recognition of the emergency vehicle by road users, with optical signal devices 1 arranged in three signal levels E1, E2 and E3.

[0018] The first signal level E1 is located just above the roof 2 of the emergency vehicle. The signaling device 1 shown as an example in this schematic illustration is arranged in a box-shaped roof structure.

[0019] The second signal level E2 is located at least substantially at the level of a rear edge 3 of a front hood 4 of the motor vehicle. The signal devices 1 arranged in this signal level E2 are positioned centrally on a windshield 5 as so-called windshield flashers.

[0020] The third signal level E3 with associated signaling devices 1 is located at least substantially below a cooling air opening 6 at the front of the vehicle.

[0021] In Fig. 2 shows a perspective front view of an emergency vehicle, the warning device of which is different from that of the vehicle according to Fig. 1 is slightly modified.

[0022] Here, the warning device has a further signaling device 1 just below the vehicle roof 2 at the level of the upper signaling level E1 below the signaling device 1 integrated in the box-shaped roof structure, which is arranged behind the windscreen 5. At the level of the lower signaling level E3, a signaling device 1 is integrated into a corresponding panel in the area of ​​the cooling air opening 6 at the front of the vehicle.

[0023] At the level of the second signal level E2, in the area of ​​a left A-pillar 7 - viewed in the forward direction - a further signal device 8 can be seen, the fastening arrangement of which, in conjunction with Fig. 3 will be explained in more detail below.

[0024] This shows Fig. 3 is a partial perspective view of the fastening arrangement of the signaling device 8 behind the windshield 5 in the area of ​​the A-pillar 7, of which in the present case only an inner panel 9 is visible, whereas a shell component of the A-pillar 7 is not shown. This shell component runs on the outside or underside of an edge 10 with which the inner panel 9 of the A-pillar 7 rests against the inside of the windshield 5. A region 11 of the windshield 5, which is arranged correspondingly on the outside or underside of this edge 10 and conceals the shell component of the A-pillar 7, is usually darkened or similarly processed.

[0025] As now Fig. 3, the signaling device 8 comprises a light signal element 12 which is accommodated in a housing 13. In the example shown here, the housing 13 enclosing the light signal element 12 is flush with the inside of the windshield 5 and the interior trim 9 of the A-pillar 7. The housing 13 is arranged in a corner area of ​​the edge 10, in which this transitions from its vertical to its horizontal course. It is thus mounted largely outside the field of vision of possible vehicle occupants. This constellation can ensure that the vehicle occupants have a particularly good view of the surroundings of the motor vehicle and thus of other road users, which increases road safety. The housing 13 can be designed separately or as an integral part of the interior trim 9 - i.e. as one piece with it.

[0026] The light signal element 12 is arranged such that it is located at least substantially in a transparent area 14 of the windshield 5, i.e., on the inside or top of the darkened area 11. The housing 13 of the signaling device 8 can be arranged partially behind the darkened area 11 and partially behind the transparent area 14 of the windshield 5. The part of the housing 13 arranged behind the darkened area 11 of the windshield 5 is essentially not visible, or only slightly visible, from outside the motor vehicle.

[0027] A holding device by means of which the signaling device 8 is at least indirectly attached to the A-pillar 7 or to the interior trim 9 located in the area of ​​the A-pillar 7 is not shown in the figure. Fig. 3, the holding device not shown, can be at least partially concealed by the housing 13 of the signaling device 8. Alternatively, the holding device can be concealed by the inner lining 9.

[0028] Furthermore, a device for supplying energy to the light signal element 12, which can be concealed, for example, by the part of the interior panel 9 located in the area of ​​the A-pillar 7, is not shown in the figure.

[0029] Based on Fig. 2 finally shows that the signaling device 8 or the light signal element 12 is arranged essentially directly above the rear edge 3 of the front hood 4 of the motor vehicle. The signaling device 8 or the light signal element 12 is mounted directly in the vicinity of the rear edge 3 of the front hood 4. This ensures that the light signal element 12 emits light just above the rear edge 3 of the front hood 4 when the signaling device 8 is in operation. The light emitted at this height can, for example, be particularly advantageously reflected via a rear-view mirror of a vehicle in front of the emergency vehicle, which is in Fig. 2, moving motor vehicle. List of reference symbols E1 first signal level E2 second signal level E3 third signal level 1 Signaling devices 2 vehicle roof 3 trailing edge 4 Front hood 5 Windshield 6 Cooling air opening 7 A-pillar 8 Signaling device 9 Interior trim 10 edge 11 Area 12 light signal element 13 housings 14 Area

Claims

[1] Fastening arrangement of a signaling device (8) in an interior of a motor vehicle, with at least one light signal element (12) which is fastened by means of a holding device behind a windscreen (5) of the motor vehicle, wherein the light signal element (12) is fastened by means of the holding device in the region of an A-pillar (7) and at the level of a rear edge (3) of a front hood (4) of the motor vehicle, characterized by that the light signal element (12) rests against an inner side of the windshield (5), wherein the light signal element (12) has a housing (13) which adjoins at least substantially flush with an inner panel (9) of the A-pillar (7), and wherein the holding device is fastened to a shell element of the A-pillar (7). [2] Fastening arrangement according to claim 1, characterized by that the holding device is at least substantially concealed by the inner panel (9) of the A-pillar (7). [3] Fastening arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the light signal element (12) is at least partially concealed by the inner lining (9). [4] Fastening arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a device for supplying energy to the light signal element (12) is concealed by the inner lining (9) of the A-pillar (7).

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