Light guide arrangement for the interior trim of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Light guide arrangement (10, 10') for an interior trim panel (11) of a motor vehicle (K), with which at least a part of the interior trim panel (11) can be illuminated or is illuminated, wherein light from at least one light source (20) can be coupled or is coupled into a first light guide (L1) at its end face and at least a second light guide (L2) is connected to a movable component (15), wherein a slit-like light transfer point (S) is formed between an end face (25) of the first light guide (L1) and an end face (26) of the second light guide (L2), at which the light can pass from the first light guide (L1) into the second light guide (L2), characterized in that, viewed from an interior space (I) onto the interior trim panel (11), the first light guide (L1) runs behind and along a decorative strip (14), and the second light guide (L2) runs behind and along the movable component (15).wherein the second light guide (L2) forms a line- or strip-like extension of the first light guide (L1) and the coupled light can be coupled out of the light guides (L1, L2) perpendicular to a light coupling direction (LE) in order to enter an interior (I) of the motor vehicle (K), wherein at least the first light guide (L1) is attached to the decorative strip (14) by means of an elongated, opaque retaining element (21), wherein the retaining element (21) is attached to the decorative strip (14) in cross-section with a first leg (210) and overlaps the light guide (L1) on the side of the recess (12) with a second leg (211).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a light guide arrangement for an interior trim of a motor vehicle with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] German patent DE 10 2014 117 909 A1 describes such a light guide arrangement. Specifically, the light guide arrangement is part of a recessed handle illumination system for a door panel. A light source is positioned behind the recessed handle, from which light can be coupled into a light guide at its end face. The light is coupled out of the light guide at its end face and passes through a slit-like light transfer point into a light guide integrated into a door opener. The light guide in the door opener is positioned on the side of the recessed handle, allowing the coupled light to fall onto and illuminate the recessed handle. As soon as the door opener is pivoted around a pivot axis to open a door, the transmission of light is interrupted because the slit-like light transfer point is removed.

[0003] DE 600 12 295 T2 describes a light guide arrangement for the interior trim of a motor vehicle, in which a single light guide is guided along a curved path running close to the devices to be illuminated. In areas near the devices to be illuminated, the light is emitted radially from the light guide, thus illuminating the devices.

[0004] From DE 100 39 685 A1, a motor vehicle is known with a door handle which has a luminous surface on its curved surface projecting from the plane of the door. This luminous surface emits yellow light forwards and yellow light backwards and thus acts as a turn signal, for example to indicate the direction of travel or as a hazard warning light.

[0005] DE 600 12 295 T2 describes a door for a vehicle with an inner panel. The inner panel has an oval area containing a door handle and a lever for opening the door. It also features translucent surfaces behind which a light-guiding element is routed. This element is essentially ring-shaped and positioned between two light sources, with light from the light sources coupled into the ends of the light-guiding element at their ends. The light emitted by the element penetrates the translucent surfaces and thus illuminates components located within the inner panel of the door.

[0006] From DE 10 2014 117 909 A1, a light guide arrangement with the features of the preamble of the applicable patent claim 1 is known. Specifically, the light guide arrangement is part of a lighting system for a recessed handle in a door panel in the area of ​​a door handle. A lighting device with a light source and a two-part light guide is arranged behind the recessed handle. Light from the light source can be coupled into a first part of the light guide at its end face. The light is coupled out of the light guide at its end face and passes through a slit-like light transfer point into a second part of the light guide, which is integrated into the door handle. The light guide is arranged in the door handle towards the side of the recessed handle, so that the light coupled out of it can fall onto the recessed handle and illuminate it.As soon as the door handle is pivoted around a pivot axis to open a door, the transmission of light is interrupted because the gap-like light transfer point is eliminated.

[0007] US Patent 2006 / 0034092 A1 describes interior lighting in a vehicle located in the area of ​​an instrument panel. The instrument panel has an upper and a lower section. The abutting edges of these sections form a step or recess. Within this step, on one underside, is a groove in which a light guide is embedded. Light from a light source is coupled into the end face of the light guide. On the upper part of the instrument panel, above the light guide, is a linear decorative strip, which is of a striking color and is intended to facilitate the recognition of the step and thus prevent finger injuries.

[0008] From DE 10 2009 011 513 B3, a control element for a motor vehicle is known which is mounted in a joystick-like manner so as to be linearly displaceable along several directions of movement. The control element has a mushroom-shaped actuating element with a light-emitting surface. A first light guide is bonded to the light-emitting surface, and this light guide is in turn connected to two further light guides in a knee-joint manner. The lowest, third light guide has a light-entry surface into which the light from a light source is coupled.

[0009] Finally, an illuminated door handle for a motor vehicle can be found in DE 10 2015 101 164 A1. The door handle comprises a light guide with several LEDs, which serve both to illuminate the door handle itself and to illuminate a recess associated with the door handle. When a person's hand approaches, a proximity sensor reacts and sends a signal to switch on the door handle's illumination.

[0010] Especially in passenger cars, interior lighting is integrated into interior trim panels for both visual enhancement and functional reasons. Often, elongated, rod-like light guides are installed lengthwise along the trim panels, either visibly or invisibly. Suitable light-emitting structures, such as ribbing along the light guide, allow the light to be directed in a specific direction. The direction of light emission is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the light guide.

[0011] Lighting via a fiber optic cable is often intended to extend over as much of an interior trim panel as possible. However, this sometimes conflicts with the necessary arrangement of movable functional elements within the interior. This can be the case, for example, in the area of ​​a door panel, where a fiber optic cable routed within the panel and the door opening partially occupy the same installation space. While integrating a door opener for potential door unlocking takes precedence for functional reasons, it is desirable to optimize the lighting design without interrupting it.

[0012] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a light guide arrangement for an interior trim of a motor vehicle, which optimizes the design of the interior trim lighting.

[0013] The aforementioned problem is solved by a fiber optic arrangement having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments or embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

[0014] The invention relates to a light guide arrangement for the interior trim of a motor vehicle, with which at least a portion of the interior trim can be illuminated or is illuminated. Light from at least one light source can be coupled into, or is coupled into, a first light guide at its end face. At least a second light guide is connected to a movable component, wherein a slit-like light transfer point is formed between an end face of the first light guide and an end face of the second light guide, at which the light can pass from the first light guide into the second light guide.

[0015] The invention proposes that, viewed from an interior space, the first light guide runs behind and along a decorative strip. The second light guide runs behind and along the movable component, forming a linear or strip-like extension of the first light guide. This linear or strip-like appearance can be straight or curved. The coupled light can be extracted from the light guides perpendicular to the direction of light coupling, or is extracted in this manner, to enter the interior of the vehicle.

[0016] This allows for a significant improvement in the interior lighting design. In particular, it creates the conditions necessary to generate a continuous line or strip of light across the moving component.

[0017] A further development of the invention proposes that, viewed from an interior space, the first light guide runs behind and along an opaque decorative strip, and the second light guide runs behind and along the likewise opaque, movable component. The decorative strip and the movable component each partially obscure a recess in the interior panel. The light coupled into the light guides is then coupled out of the light guides in the direction of the recess, or can be coupled out of them.

[0018] This allows for the indirect creation of a continuous line or strip of light, resulting in particularly subtle interior lighting (ambient lighting).

[0019] According to another embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that, viewed in the direction of light coupling, at least one further slit-like light transfer point is provided behind the movable component, through which the light can pass from the second light guide into a third light guide. Viewed from the interior towards the interior trim, the third light guide again runs behind and along a decorative strip and forms a line- or strip-like extension of the second light guide. The light coupled into the third light guide can also be coupled out of the third light guide perpendicular to a direction of light coupling, or is coupled out in this way to enter the interior of the motor vehicle.

[0020] This advanced technology makes it possible to create a line of light within the interior trim that appears to pass through the moving component and then continue beyond it. This results in a highly appealing lighting design for the interior.

[0021] In a further, highly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the movable component is pivotable about an axis of rotation and the slit-like light transfer point between the first light guide and the second light guide has a radius whose center point is formed by the axis of rotation of the movable component.

[0022] In this way, light coupling into the second optical fiber is possible even when the moving component is pivoted around its axis of rotation. The light path is therefore not suddenly interrupted when the moving component is moved.

[0023] In order to ensure that the illumination emitted into the environment by the light guides appears uniform and harmonious, another further development proposes that the light guides have the same cross-sections and light coupling points whose mutual distances decrease in the direction of light coupling, starting from at least one light source.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inner lining is a door panel and the movable component is a door opener. The light guides are designed as straight, rod-like components whose cross-sections are aligned with each other.

[0025] This design allows for a particularly attractive illumination of the door panel, which runs as a straight line along the entire door panel.

[0026] According to further features of the invention, at least the first light guide is attached to the decorative strip by means of an elongated, opaque retaining element. In cross-section, the retaining element is attached to the decorative strip with a first leg, and with a second leg it overlaps the light guide on the side of the recess.

[0027] In this way, on the one hand, the light guide can be easily attached to the decorative strip, and on the other hand, a defined emission opening for the light guide can be formed behind the decorative strip, resulting in a clearly defined light appearance.

[0028] To further develop the invention advantageously in another way, it is also conceivable that the decorative strip or strips are at least partially translucent and that the movable component is also at least partially translucent. The light coupled into the light guide can be coupled out towards the interior or is coupled out in this way.

[0029] Such direct light emission from the light guides into the interior can achieve a "harsher" lighting effect, which may well be desirable.

[0030] In this context, it is conceivable that the translucency could be achieved by perforating the decorative strips and the moving component. It is also conceivable to manufacture the decorative strips and the moving component from a translucent, i.e., light-permeable, material.

[0031] Finally, the invention is also intended to provide protection for a motor vehicle which has at least one light guide arrangement according to the invention.

[0032] The fiber optic assembly can be located in the vehicle not only in the door panels, but also preferably in the headliner or instrument panel. Other installation locations are of course conceivable.

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the figures and are explained in more detail in the following description with reference to the figures. This also highlights further advantages of the invention. Identical reference numerals, even in different figures, refer to identical, comparable, or functionally equivalent components. Corresponding or comparable properties and advantages are achieved even if no repeated description or reference is made to them.

[0034] They show, each schematically Fig. 1 a light guide arrangement in the area of ​​a door panel having a door opener, Fig. 2 a view of the door trim according to section view II from Fig. 1, in the unactivated and activated state of the door opener, Fig. 3 a view of the light guide arrangement according to section view III from Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a view of the light guide arrangement according to section view IV from Fig. 1, Fig. 5 a view of the light guide arrangement according to detail V from Fig. 2, Fig. 6 a motor vehicle with a light guide arrangement according to the invention in a second embodiment, in the area of ​​a door panel and Fig. 7 a view of the light guide arrangement comparable to Fig. 2, however in a further embodiment of the invention..

[0035] First, attention will be drawn to the Fig. Figure 1 is referenced. This figure shows a door 1 for a motor vehicle. The door 1 is provided with an interior panel 11, which thus lines the inside of the door's frame, creating an interior space. The interior panel 11 has an elongated recess 12 extending longitudinally or in a direction of travel over a large portion of its length. Furthermore, the interior panel 11 is provided with an elongated decorative strip 14, which partially conceals the recess 12 and extends over a large portion of its length.

[0036] Viewed in the direction of travel, a movable component 15 in the form of a door opener is located behind the decorative strip 14.

[0037] Behind and along the decorative strip 14 and behind and along the movable component 15, i.e., facing away from the interior of a motor vehicle, a light guide is arranged in each case (not shown in this figure). Light coupled into the light guides is coupled out in such a way that an illuminated area 13 can be created, which extends in a line shape below the decorative strip 14 and below the movable component 15.

[0038] The movable component 15 can be pivoted about a vertical axis of rotation D.

[0039] Furthermore, an armrest 16, a door handle 17, a storage compartment 18 and a speaker cover 19 are indicated.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment, the recess 12 is shared by the decorative strip 14 and the component 15. However, it is also conceivable to form two recesses, separated from each other, for example by a partition, each assigned to the decorative strip 14 or the component 15, respectively.

[0041] Based on the Fig. Section 2 will now describe the optical fiber arrangement in more detail. Thus, it is evident from the Fig. Figure 2a shows that a first light guide L1 is arranged behind the decorative strip 14. Light from a light source 20 is coupled into the end face of the light guide L1 in the direction of a light coupling direction LE. Due to suitable light coupling points 27, the light is coupled out of the light guide L1 to a rear face R in a light coupling direction LA perpendicular to the light coupling direction LE. The rear face R faces away from a visible side I or the interior of a motor vehicle. The light source 20 is preferably designed as a light-emitting diode (LED).

[0042] Furthermore, it can be seen that the movable component 15 is equipped on the back with a second light guide L2, which also extends in the longitudinal direction of the movable component 15.

[0043] Both the decorative strip 14 and the side of the movable component 15 facing the visible side I are preferably designed to be opaque, so that light can be emitted not directly towards the visible side I, but only towards the rear side R.

[0044] As can be seen, a slit-like light transfer point S is formed between the first light guide L1 and the second light guide L2.

[0045] Through the light transfer point S, light can be transferred from the first optical fiber L1 to the second optical fiber L2 at the end face, whereby the light coupled into the optical fiber L2 is also coupled out via light coupling points 27 in a light coupling direction LA to the back face R.

[0046] To open a door, the movable component 15 is pivoted around the axis of rotation D out of the plane of the inner lining 11 in the direction of the visible side I or in the direction of the interior (see figure). Fig. 2b, Position 15').

[0047] Even when component 15 is tilted, the light from the light source 20 continues to be coupled into the light guide L2.

[0048] This is made possible by the special design of the light transfer point S, which will be described in detail later.

[0049] In the Fig. Figure 3 clearly shows that the decorative strip 14 largely covers the recess 12 in a vertical direction from top to bottom. In the top view, only an elongated emission opening 23 remains, which provides a clear view of the illuminated or illuminateable surface 13 (see also Figure 3). Fig. 1).

[0050] The light guide L1, which preferably has a round or oval cross-section, is attached to the rear of the decorative strip 14 by means of an elongated retaining element 21. The retaining element 21 has a first leg 210, which is attached to the decorative strip 14, preferably bonded to it. A second leg 211 projects out of the plane of the first leg 210 in the direction of the recess 12 and overlaps the light guide L1 in the direction of the recess 12. This allows the light guide L1 to be securely held between the retaining element 21 and the decorative strip 14, creating a defined emission aperture 22 for the light coupled out or that can be coupled out of the light guide L1.

[0051] The decorative strip 14 has a lower angled section 140 in cross-section, which is also directed towards the recess 12 and runs approximately parallel to the leg 211 of the retaining element 21. This contributes to an improvement in the indirect lighting through the light guide L1.

[0052] From the Fig. 4 shows that the light guide L2 is also enclosed in the movable component 15 in such a way that the light rays coupled out from it can essentially only illuminate the area 13.

[0053] Based on the Fig. Section 5 now describes the slit-like light transfer point S in more detail. This figure shows that the light transfer point S between the first optical fiber L1 and the second optical fiber L2 is semicircular with a radius r. The center of the radius r is formed by the axis of rotation D of the movable component 15. The first optical fiber L1 has a semicircular end face 25, and the second optical fiber L2 has a semicircular end face 26.

[0054] As can be clearly seen in this figure, the optical fibers L1 and L2 have cross-sections Q1 and Q2, which are approximately identical and aligned with each other. Furthermore, the light output points 27 have a distance a between them, which decreases in the light input direction LE (see also Fig. 2) As already mentioned, this contributes to a very homogeneous lighting effect.

[0055] Based on the Fig. Figure 6 shows a motor vehicle K which is equipped with an alternative embodiment of a light guide arrangement 10'.

[0056] In contrast to the embodiment according to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. Figure 5 shows that the light guide arrangement 10' consists of three light guides L1, L2, and L3. The light guides L1, L2, and L3 shown in the figures are all designed as elongated, rod-like light guides. Light is coupled into the end face of light guide L1 via a light source 20 in a light coupling direction LE and passes through a first slit-like light transfer point S1 into a second light guide L2 of a component 15 in the form of a door opener that is pivotable about an axis of rotation D.

[0057] Up to this point, the technical solution is analogous to the previous figures. The difference in this embodiment lies in the fact that, viewed in the direction of travel, a further decorative strip 14a is arranged behind component 15. Decorative strips 14 and 14a, as well as component 15, share a common, continuous recess 12, which is partially concealed by these components. The light guide L3 is also concealed behind decorative strip 14a and is aligned with light guides L1 and L2. A slit-like light transfer point S2 is also formed between light guide L2 and light guide L3.

[0058] In this way, a linear ambient light can be created that extends almost the entire length of the vehicle door.

[0059] Finally, the Fig. Figure 7 shows another embodiment of the invention. Here, a light guide arrangement 10'' is shown, in which, unlike the embodiment according to Fig. 2. A translucent decorative strip 14', for example perforated or translucent, is present. Furthermore, a movable component 15' designed as a door opener is also translucent in the same way. Light guides L1 and L2 arranged behind the decorative strip 14' and the movable component 15', respectively, emit the light coupled into them perpendicular to the direction of light coupling LE directly into the interior space I. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 door 10, 10', 10'' fiber optic arrangement 11 Interior trim; door trim 12 In-depth study 13 illuminated or lit areas 14, 14' Decorative strip 14a Decorative strip 15, 15' moving component 16 Armrest 17 Door handle 18 storage compartments 19 speaker cover 20 light bulbs 21 retaining element 22 Radiation opening 23 Radiation opening 25 front end 26 front end 27 light output points 140° angle 210 thighs 211 thighs a distances D axis of rotation I Visible side, interior K motor vehicle L1-L3 optical fibers LE light coupling direction LA Light output direction r radius R Back Q1 Fiber optic cross-section Q2 Fiber optic cross-section S, S1, S2 slit-like light transfer points

Claims

Light guide arrangement (10, 10') for an interior trim panel (11) of a motor vehicle (K), with which at least a part of the interior trim panel (11) can be illuminated or is illuminated, wherein light from at least one light source (20) can be coupled or is coupled into a first light guide (L1) at its end face and at least a second light guide (L2) is connected to a movable component (15), wherein a slit-like light transfer point (S) is formed between an end face (25) of the first light guide (L1) and an end face (26) of the second light guide (L2), at which the light can pass from the first light guide (L1) into the second light guide (L2), characterized in that, viewed from an interior (I) onto the interior trim panel (11), the first light guide (L1) runs behind and along a decorative strip (14), and the second light guide (L2) runs behind and along the movable component (15).wherein the second light guide (L2) forms a line- or strip-like extension of the first light guide (L1) and the coupled light can be coupled out of the light guides (L1, L2) perpendicular to a light coupling direction (LE) in order to enter an interior (I) of the motor vehicle (K), wherein at least the first light guide (L1) is attached to the decorative strip (14) by means of an elongated, opaque retaining element (21), wherein the retaining element (21) is attached to the decorative strip (14) in cross-section with a first leg (210) and overlaps the light guide (L1) on the side of the recess (12) with a second leg (211). Light guide arrangement (10, 10') according to claim 1, characterized in that, viewed from an interior space (I) onto the interior lining (11), the first light guide (L1) runs behind and along an opaque decorative strip (14), and the second light guide (L2) runs behind and along the also opaque, movable component (15), wherein the decorative strip (14) and the movable component (15) each partially cover a recess (12) of the interior lining (11) and the coupled light can be coupled out of the light guides (L1, L2) or is coupled out again in the direction of the recess (12). Light guide arrangement (10, 10') according to claim 2, characterized in that, viewed in the direction of light coupling (LE), at least one further slit-like light transfer point (S2) is provided behind the movable component (15), through which the light from the second light guide (L2) can pass into a third light guide (L3), wherein, viewed from the interior (I) onto the interior trim (11), the third light guide (L3) again runs behind and along a decorative strip (14a) and forms a line- or strip-like extension of the second light guide (L1), wherein the light coupled into the third light guide (L3) can also be coupled out of the third light guide (L3) perpendicular to a direction of light coupling (LE) in order to enter the interior (I) of the motor vehicle (K). Light guide arrangement (10. 10') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable component (15) is pivotable about an axis of rotation (D) and the slit-like light transfer point (S) between the first light guide (L1) and the second light guide (L2) has a radius (r) whose center point is formed by the axis of rotation (D) of the movable component (15). Light guide arrangement (10, 10') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guides (L1, L2, L3) have the same cross-sections (Q1, Q2) and light coupling points (27) whose mutual distances (a) decrease starting from the light source (20) in the direction of light coupling (LE) of the light. Light guide arrangement (10, 10') according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner lining (11) is a door lining and the movable component (15) is a door opener, wherein the light guides (L1, L2, L3) are designed as straight, rod-like components whose cross-sections (Q1, Q2) are aligned with each other. Light guide arrangement (10, 10') according to one of the preceding claims 1 and 4 to 6, characterized in that the decorative strip (14) or the decorative strips (14, 14a) are designed to be translucent at least in certain areas and the movable component (15) is also translucent at least in certain areas, wherein the light coupled into the light guides (L1, L2, L3) can be coupled out or is coupled out in the direction of the interior (I). Motor vehicle (K), characterized by at least one light guide arrangement (10, 10') according to one of the preceding claims.

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