Trim component for a vehicle and vehicle with the trim component

Abstract

A fairing component (110) for a motor vehicle (100), comprising a lighting device (1; 1') with a light source (10) for emitting light rays (11), a light guide layer (20) for guiding the light rays (11) from the light source (10) between a top surface (21) and a bottom surface (22) of the light guide layer (20), and a reflector layer (30) for reflecting the light rays (11), wherein the light source (10) is configured to emit the light rays (11) into the light guide layer (20) and the reflector layer (30) is arranged adjacent to the light guide layer (20) under the bottom surface (22), and wherein the light guide layer (20) has at least one light exit opening (24) in the bottom surface (22) through which light rays (11) can be decoupled from the light guide layer (20) in the direction of the reflector layer (30), characterized in thatthat at least one diffuser layer (50) for scattering light rays (11) entering the diffuser layer (50) from the light guide layer (20) is arranged adjacent to the underside (22), and that at least one polarization layer (60) for selectively aligning the light rays (11) entering the polarization layer (60) from the diffuser layer (50) is arranged adjacent to the diffuser layer (50) below the same.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a trim component for a vehicle and a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with the trim component. The cladding component has a lighting device with a light source for emitting light beams. The lighting device furthermore has a light guide layer for guiding the light beams between a top side and a bottom side of the light guide layer. In addition, the lighting device has a reflector layer for reflecting the light beams. The light source is designed to emit the light rays into the light guide layer and the reflector layer is arranged adjacent to the light guide layer under the underside.

[0002] Such lighting devices are used, for example, in the interior of a passenger compartment of a vehicle as information or identification elements for a specific element or a specific function. The lighting devices are usually still visible in their switched-off state and emit brightness in a simple geometric shape such as a point, circle or line. It is therefore desirable to have lighting devices which are not visible in their switched-off state and which at the same time allow complex geometric shapes and even words or symbols to be displayed as messages. All of this with as little energy as possible, especially since the growing number of electrical devices inside the vehicle leads to an increase in consumption.

[0003] Various solutions for a lighting device for a vehicle using a light source and a light guide are currently known. The lighting is either used directly, with the light guide itself being the element that is illuminated and observed by a user, or it is used indirectly, with the light transmitted through the light guide only being observed when an additional element is illuminated as a decorative panel. In this second case, the light is transmitted through the medium of air and hits the surface of the decorative element.

[0004] The German patent application DE 10 2015 203 971 A1 discloses a lighting device for a vehicle with a light transmitter that is connected to a light transmission means. The lighting device furthermore has a partially translucent upper layer, the light transmission means being essentially flat and comprising a region with at least one optical structure which deflects light in the direction of the upper layer.

[0005] In addition, the luminaire has an opaque mask with at least one applied light-permeable zone between the transmission means and the upper layer. In addition, the lighting device has a reflective lower layer adjacent to the light transmission means on the opposite side of the opaque mask with a light-permeable zone. A lighting device configured in this way is almost invisible in its switched-off state and, because of its arrangement, has the ability to emit complex shapes through a surface which does not appear to be a component of a lighting element. Nevertheless, the maximum illuminance that can be achieved by such a lighting device is insufficient for certain applications in or on the vehicle. Further lighting concepts are known from DE 10 2005 005 682 A1 and DE 10 2009 000 605 A1.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to at least partially remedy the disadvantages described above in the case of a trim component for a vehicle. In particular, it is the object of the present invention to provide a compact, in particular flat trim component with a lighting device for a vehicle with high luminance or a corresponding illuminance, and a vehicle with such a trim component.

[0007] The above object is achieved by the patent claims. In particular, the above object is achieved by the lining component according to claim 1 and the vehicle according to claim 12. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the description and the drawings. Features that are described in connection with the trim component also apply, of course, in connection with the vehicle according to the invention and vice versa, so that with regard to the disclosure of the individual aspects of the invention, mutual reference is or can always be made.

[0008] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a trim component for a motor vehicle or a trim component for covering an inner or outer vehicle section of the vehicle is provided. The cladding component has a lighting device with a light source for emitting light beams. The lighting device has a light guide layer for guiding the light beams from the light source between an upper side and a lower side of the light guide layer. In addition, the lighting device has a reflector layer for reflecting the light beams. The light source is designed to emit the light rays into the light guide layer and the reflector layer is arranged adjacent to the light guide layer under the underside. The light guide layer has at least one light exit opening in or on the underside, through which light beams can be decoupled or specifically decoupled from the light exit openings in the direction of the reflector layer from the light guide layer or at a correspondingly predefined point. The light source is preferably arranged inside the cladding component next to the lighting device. This is advantageous with regard to the compactness of the cladding component.

[0009] In experiments within the scope of the present invention, it has surprisingly been found that a lighting device designed according to the invention can be built flat enough to be attached in or on the cladding component, for example as ambient light and / or marker lighting, in places that were previously unimaginable . The structure according to the invention and the luminance of the lighting device that can be achieved thereby makes it possible to illuminate the cladding component in a visually appealing, easily recognizable and correspondingly effective manner. The trim component is designed, for example, in the form of an instrument panel, as a dashboard, console component, or as a vehicle door inner cladding section.

[0010] Due to the structure according to the invention, the cladding component is even suitable for a sufficiently strong, preferably flat, illumination of IML decors in day-night design. Conventional lighting devices such as PMMA light guides were unsuitable for this because of their low luminance and / or their design that was too deep or large.

[0011] The lighting device according to the invention enables small overall depths with a large illuminated area, a low weight and a high light yield to be achieved. Thus, in comparison to known solutions, the lining component according to the invention enables shoring in areas with limited installation space. The design of the lighting device makes it particularly flexible. The flexibility of the lighting device enables the lighting device to be easily adapted to complex, for example curved, component sections of the cladding component. In addition, the lighting device is easily scalable. Due to the scalable structure, the size of the illuminated area is mainly limited by the production system. In principle, it is possible to use the trim component according to the invention to operate all the amounts of light occurring in the vehicle interior. The cladding component can be designed as an interior or exterior component. As an exterior component, the cladding component can be designed in the form of an exterior light, for example as a turn signal or rear light.

[0012] In the present lighting device, the light rays emerge from the light source and enter the light guide layer. In the light guide layer, the light rays are at least partially reflected between the top and the bottom. Through the at least one light exit opening, light rays can emerge particularly easily from the light guide layer, i.e. through the at least one light exit opening the light rays are particularly simple and can be decoupled from the light guide layer in a targeted manner or from correspondingly predefined positions. After the light beams have emerged or decoupled from the at least one light exit opening in the direction of the reflector layer, they are reflected again in the direction of the light guide layer on the reflector layer or a reflective surface of the reflector layer facing the underside. The passage of the light rays through the at least one light exit opening and the reflection of the light rays on the reflector layer lead to increased scattered light and thus to an automatic increase in the luminance.

[0013] After the light rays have been reflected back by the reflector layer in the direction of the light guide layer, they again penetrate the light guide layer and thereby increase the luminosity of the same. That is, by specifically deflecting the light beams through the light exit openings, counter to the actual direction of illumination of the lighting device, a particularly high level of illuminance or a corresponding luminance of the light guide layer and thus of the lighting device can be achieved.

[0014] The trim component is provided for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. The light source can for example be arranged in the form of a lamp at different positions in the edge region of the light guide layer or next to it in or on the cladding component.

[0015] The light guide layer is preferably designed as a transparent or essentially transparent light guide film. The reflector layer is preferably designed as a reflector film with a reflective layer. The foils are each preferably designed to be flexible, i.e. elastically deformable. As a result, the present lighting device can be designed to be particularly flat and flexible. In particular, it is thereby possible in a particularly simple manner to provide the lighting device or the light guide layer together with the reflector layer in a three-dimensional manner.

[0016] The light guide layer and / or the reflector layer can also be provided as rigid or essentially rigid, i.e. only plastically deformable material layers.

[0017] This can be particularly advantageous when a certain inherent stability is desired for the lighting device.

[0018] To protect the reflector layer and / or to increase the stability of the lighting device, a cover layer can be arranged adjacent to the reflector layer under and on the same. The cover layer can contribute to the fact that light rays do not emerge undesirably through the reflector layer and down from the lighting device. In the context of the present invention, a direction from the top to the bottom is to be understood as a “downward” direction.

[0019] The fact that the light source is designed to emit the light rays into the light guide layer means that the light source is designed and arranged in such a way that light rays emitted by the light source can enter the light guide layer.

[0020] The at least one light exit opening is preferably designed in such a way that light rays from the light source in this area of ​​the light guide layer can be decoupled more easily or more strongly, and in particular specifically or at correspondingly predefined points on the at least one light exit opening, from the light guide layer than in an area next to it the at least one light exit opening, ie in an area in which there is no light exit opening in the underside. The at least one light exit opening is also designed such that more light rays can be decoupled from the light guide layer in this area than in an area next to the at least one light exit opening. The at least one light exit opening is furthermore arranged and configured in such a way that, due to the at least one light exit opening, light can be decoupled more from the underside than from the top of the light guide layer. The at least one light exit opening in the underside of the light guide layer enables the lighting device to achieve an illuminance or luminance that was previously not possible in motor vehicle construction for light guide layer systems in particular.

[0021] That the light rays can be decoupled from the light guide layer in the direction of the reflector layer means that the light rays from the light guide layer can be guided out of the light guide layer to a normal extent, in particular in comparison to a light guide layer without the at least one light exit opening.

[0022] The cladding component preferably has a length and / or width of several centimeters or decimeters. In addition, the cladding component preferably has a complex structure, that is, it is not only designed in the form of a plate or not only essentially in the form of a plate.

[0023] In the case of a trim component according to the invention, the lighting device has a thickness in a range between 1 mm and 3 mm, in particular between 1 mm and 2 mm. The thickness of the lighting device is to be understood as a thickness in the direction from the top to the bottom or from the bottom to the top of the lighting device. With such a narrow design, the lighting device can be arranged particularly advantageously in or on the cladding component.

[0024] It can be of further advantage if the lighting device in a cladding component according to the invention is back-injected with PC (polycarbonate), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) or a blend of PC and ABS and thereby fixed in the cladding component. As a result, individual local fastening means, which might have to penetrate the lighting device, can be dispensed with and a correspondingly large-area light guide layer can be provided. As a result, the available installation space in or on the cladding component can be used advantageously with regard to the largest possible illuminated area. In tests within the scope of the present invention, the blend of PC and ABS in particular has proven to be an advantageous fastening means.

[0025] According to a further development of the present invention, a cladding component is provided in which the light guide layer in the underside has light exit openings which are designed as holes in the underside. Due to the majority of the holes in the underside of the light guide layer, a particularly large number of light beams can be decoupled from the light guide layer evenly in the direction of the reflector layer. As a result, a correspondingly strong illuminance can be achieved by the lighting device. The holes in the underside of the light guide layer can be designed round, angular or also in the form of slots. Round or square holes are particularly easy and inexpensive to produce. Slit-shaped holes can lead to an increased decoupling of the light beams from the light guide layer and thus to a correspondingly increased luminance in the light guide layer.

[0026] It is also possible according to the present invention that the light source has at least one LED in the case of a cladding component. LEDs have a low power consumption. As a result, the lighting device is particularly suitable for installation in a motor vehicle in which the reduction in power consumption is becoming increasingly important. In addition, LEDs can be used to achieve a particularly high light yield with little space requirement. Another advantage over conventional lamps in motor vehicles is the long service life of LEDs. In a preferred embodiment, it is possible to arrange 4 to 8, for example 6, LEDs as so-called sidefire LEDs on the light guide layer or in the vicinity thereof. The LEDs are energized at 18 V with approx. 25 mA and thus have an output of 0.45 W. With a construction of the lighting device according to the invention, a luminance of 34,000 CD / m 2 can be achieved. and achieve an illuminance of 750 lux. In this or another embodiment variant, the light guide layer has a thickness in a range between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, for example 0.4 mm. The LEDs can be designed as RGB LEDs, so that the light source can generate lighting in different colors. This allows elements in or on the vehicle to be illuminated with different colors in different situations. In addition, it is possible to build up or generate a flat running light using a larger number of LEDs that can be controlled individually or in sequence.

[0027] In addition, it is possible within the scope of the present invention that the light source is arranged in a cladding component or in a lighting device next to the light guide layer in such a way that the light rays from the light source can be coupled into the light guide layer through an end face of the light guide layer. The light source is accordingly arranged adjacent to the end face or to at least one end face of the light guide layer, i.e., next to or on the end face. As a result, the lighting device can be built particularly flat. The face or the at least one face has a smaller area than the top or the bottom.

[0028] In addition, it can be advantageous according to the invention that, in the case of a cladding component, at least one diffuser layer for scattering light rays which enter the diffuser layer from the light guide layer is arranged adjacent to the light guide layer over the top. By scattering the light rays, a homogeneous mixing or scattering of the light rays can be achieved, whereby a more uniform and calmer light can be presented to a user.

[0029] According to the present invention, it can be of further advantage if, in the case of a cladding component, adjacent to the diffuser layer, above the same, at least one polarization layer is arranged for the targeted alignment of the light rays entering the polarization layer from the diffuser layer. This makes it possible to let the light beams emerge from the lighting device only in a certain direction. This means that the polarization layer only allows light rays to pass in a certain direction of polarization, i.e. light rays whose electrical field oscillates in a certain direction.

[0030] In addition, it is possible according to the invention for at least one diffuser layer for scattering light rays that enter the diffuser layer from the light guide layer to be arranged adjacent to the light guide layer under the underside of a cladding component. By scattering the light beams, a homogeneous mixing or scattering of the light beams can be achieved. As a result, a particularly strong scattering of the light rays in a region between the light guide layer and the reflector layer can be achieved. This in turn leads to an increase in the luminance and, accordingly, to a particularly high illuminance of the lighting device.

[0031] According to the present invention, it can be of further advantage here if, in a cladding component, at least one polarization layer is arranged between the light guide layer and the reflector layer under the light guide layer and next to the diffuser layer. In particular, the at least one polarization layer is arranged adjacent to the diffuser layer below the same for the targeted alignment of the light beams which enter the polarization layer from the diffuser layer. In particular through a combination of polarization layer and diffuser layer, a particularly advantageous decoupling of the light beams from the light guide layer can be achieved, in which particularly homogeneous mixing or scattering of the light beams is achieved. Only a limited proportion of the light rays which reflect on the reflector layer are allowed back into the light guide layer through the polarization layer. The light rays, which are initially not allowed back into the light guide layer by the polarization layer, lead to further scattered light and thus to a particularly strong homogeneous mixing of the light rays.

[0032] In the case of a cladding component according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous if the reflector layer rests at least in sections directly on the light guide layer or at least in sections directly on the polarization layer, in each case in particular without connecting means. That is, there is preferably no connecting means, such as adhesive, arranged between the respective layers. This saves material costs for any fasteners. In addition, unwanted shielding or misdirection of the light beams between the individual layers can thereby be avoided. The light guide layer, the at least one diffuser layer, the at least one polarization layer and / or the reflector layer are preferably designed as a layer stack, the layer stack having a layer thickness or height in a range of preferably between 0.4 mm and 1 mm, particularly preferably between 0, 5 mm and 0.7 mm.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a vehicle is provided with the trim component explained in detail above, the lighting device being designed in particular as interior lighting and / or as ambient lighting and / or as marking lighting of the vehicle. The vehicle according to the invention thus brings the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to the lighting device according to the invention.

[0034] Further measures improving the invention emerge from the following description of various exemplary embodiments of the invention, which are shown schematically in the figures. All of the features and / or advantages arising from the claims, the description or the drawing, including structural details and spatial arrangements, can be essential to the invention both individually and in the various combinations. They each show schematically: Fig. 1 shows a cladding component with a lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a disassembled state, Fig. 2 shows a cladding component with a lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention in a disassembled state, Fig. 3 shows a cladding component with a lighting device according to the second embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state, and FIG Fig. 4 shows a vehicle with a trim component according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Elements with the same function and mode of operation are in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 are each provided with the same reference numerals.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a trim component 110 with a lighting device 1 according to a first embodiment. The lighting device 1 has a light source 10 in the form of an LED lamp that is located inside the cladding component 110 is arranged. In addition, the lighting device has 1 a light guide layer 20 with a top 21 , a subpage 22 , one face 23 and light exit openings 24 in the bottom 22 on. The light source 10 is arranged so that light rays 11 , in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 symbolically represented as an arrow coming from the light source 10 out and into the light guide layer 20 enter, between the top 21 and the bottom 22 the light guide layer 20 can be forwarded. The lighting device 1 furthermore has a reflector layer 30 to reflect the light rays 11 on. The reflector layer 30 is adjacent to the light guide layer 20 on the bottom 22 arranged or lies on the underside. As in Fig. 1, the light rays are 11 from the light guide layer 20 in the direction of the reflector layer 30 through the in the bottom 22 designed light exit openings 24 decoupled. The light rays 11 thus run from the light source 10 into the light guide layer 20 into it, from there the light exit openings 24 to the reflector layer 30 , after a reflection on the reflector layer 30 back to the light guide layer 20 , through this and then through the diffuser layer 50 and the polarization layer 60 . Then the light rays enter 11 Visible to a user from the lighting device 1 and accordingly from the cladding component 110 out.

[0037] According to Fig. 1 is the light source 10 such as next to the light guide layer 20 arranged that the light beams 11 the light source 10 through the face 23 the light guide layer 20 can be coupled into the same.

[0038] The one in Fig. 1 illustrated lighting device 1 also has an upper diffuser layer 50 which is adjacent to the light guide layer 20 on the top 21 is arranged. In addition, the lighting device has 1 an upper polarizing layer 60 that is adjacent to the diffuser layer 50 is arranged on the same. The order in which the diffuser layer is arranged 50 and the polarization layer is not limited to the order shown in the figures.

[0039] At the lower end of the lighting device 1 this has a top layer 40 on to light rays 11 to prevent it from going through the reflector layer 30 from the lighting device 1 to resign.

[0040] Fig. 2 shows a trim component 110 with a lighting device 1' according to a second embodiment. The one in Fig. 2 illustrated lighting device 1' is similar to that in Fig. 1 illustrated lighting device 1 . The one in Fig. 2 illustrated lighting device 1' also has a lower diffuser layer 50 which is adjacent to the light guide layer 20 on the bottom 22 is arranged. In addition, the lighting device 1' a lower polarization layer 60 that is adjacent to the diffuser layer 50 is arranged on the same. The order in which the diffuser layer is arranged 50 and the polarization layer 60 is not on the one in Fig. 2 shown limited. It is thus also conceivable that the lower polarization layer 60 over the lower diffuser layer 50 is arranged.

[0041] Fig. 3 shows a trim component 110 with the one in Fig. 2 illustrated lighting device 1' in a stacked, i.e., assembled, state. As from Fig. 3, the reflector layer is 30 directly on the lower polarization layer 60 on. That is, between the reflector layer 30 and the lower polarizing layer 60 there are no fasteners such as glue. This also applies to the area between the other layers.

[0042] Fig. 4 shows a vehicle 100 with a cladding component 110 in which a lighting device 1 is integrated. That in Fig. 4 shown cladding component 110 is designed in the form of an instrument panel. The one in the cladding component 110 integrated lighting device 1 is designed for the illumination of controls on the instrument panel. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The lighting device 1 for example also as a rear light or indicator of the vehicle 100 be designed. In addition to the design of the cladding component 110 In the form of the instrument panel, an embodiment in the form of a door element, a center console, a seat component or a headliner section is also possible. List of reference symbols 1; 1 'lighting device 10 light source 11 light beam 20 light guide layer 21 top 22 bottom 23 face 24 light exit openings 30 reflector layer 40 top layer 50 diffuser layer 60 polarization layer 100 vehicle 110 fairing component QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Patent literature cited

[0000] DE 102015203971 A1

[0004] DE 102005005682 A1

[0005] DE 102009000605 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Trim component (110) for a motor vehicle (100), comprising a lighting device (1; 1') with a light source (10) for emitting light rays (11), a light guide layer (20) for guiding the light rays (11) from the light source (10) between a top (21) and a bottom (22) of the light guide layer (20), and a reflector layer (30) for reflecting the light rays (11), wherein the light source (10) is configured to emit the light rays (11) into the light guide layer (20) and the reflector layer (30) is arranged adjacent to the light guide layer (20) under the bottom (22), and wherein the light guide layer (20) has at least one light exit opening (24) in the bottom (22) through which light rays (11) can be decoupled from the light guide layer (20) in the direction of the reflector layer (30). [2] Cladding component (110) according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that the lighting device (1; 1') has a thickness in a range between 1 mm and 3 mm, in particular between 1 mm and 2 mm. [3] Cladding component (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the lighting device (1; 1') is back-injected with PC, ABS or a blend of PC and ABS and is thereby fixed in the fairing component (110). [4] Cladding component (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the light guide layer (20) in the underside (22) has light exit openings (24) which are designed as holes in the underside (22). [5] Cladding component (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the light source (10) has at least one LED. [6] Cladding component (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that the light source (10) is arranged next to the optical fiber layer (20) in such a way that the light rays (11) of the light source (10) can be coupled into the same through an end face (23) of the optical fiber layer (20). [7] Cladding component (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that at least one diffuser layer (50) is arranged adjacent to the light guide layer (20) above the top surface (21) for scattering light rays (11) entering the diffuser layer (50) from the light guide layer (20). [8] Cladding component (110) according to claim 7, characterized by , that adjacent to the diffuser layer (50) at least one polarization layer (60) is arranged above it for the purpose of directing the light rays (11) entering the polarization layer (60) from the diffuser layer (50). [9] Cladding component (110) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by, that at least one diffuser layer (50) for scattering light rays (11) entering the diffuser layer (50) from the light guide layer (20) is arranged adjacent to the underside (22). [10] Cladding component (110) according to claim 9, characterized by , that adjacent to the diffuser layer (50) at least one polarization layer (60) is arranged under the same for the targeted alignment of the light rays (11) which enter the polarization layer (60) from the diffuser layer (50). [11] Cladding component (110) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the reflector layer (30) is at least partially directly adjacent to the optical fiber layer (20) or at least partially directly adjacent to the polarization layer (60), in each case in particular without any connecting means. [12] Vehicle (100) with a fairing component (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting device (1; 1') of the fairing component (110) is designed in particular as interior lighting and / or ambient lighting and / or as marker lighting of the vehicle (100).

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