Coupling element for a decorative surface

Abstract

Coupling element (1) for a decorative surface (2), comprising: • a coupling area (3) for coupling in light from a light source (6), • an output coupling area (4) for coupling out the coupled-in light, and • an intermediate area (19) which is arranged between the coupling area (3) and the coupling area (4), wherein • the coupling area (4) projects at least into the decorative surface (2), characterized in that • the coupling area (3) is designed to receive the light source (6).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a coupling element for a decorative surface. In particular, the present invention relates to a decorative surface comprising the coupling element. The present invention also relates to a vehicle comprising the coupling element. In particular, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising the decorative surface.

[0002] Lighting arrangements are known from the prior art in which optical fibers are inserted through a decorative surface of a vehicle and then cut to create a starry sky effect. It must be noted that optical fibers can hardly be bent, if at all, as this can lead to high light loss. To return the optical fibers to a light source, they must therefore be bent in a sharp arc. These sharp arcs result primarily from the excess length of the optical fibers, which must be maintained to prevent, for example, shrinkage due to cold temperatures. This results in increased space requirements for the optical fibers and a more complex installation.Furthermore, sound and thermal insulation layers behind the decorative surface must be very soft or positioned far away from the decorative surface, which restricts the design freedom of the decorative surface and / or the vehicle.

[0003] A surface coating with an optical unit is known from CH 710 077 A1.

[0004] A composite component with lighting element is known from DE 10 2004 026 835 A1.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a coupling element for a decorative surface that enables simpler and more space-saving installation as well as a high degree of design freedom for lighting arrangements in decorative surfaces. This object is achieved by the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims describe preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0006] The coupling element according to the invention for a decorative surface has an input area for receiving light from a light source, an output area for releasing light coupled in from the light source, and an intermediate area arranged between the input and output areas. The output area projects at least into the decorative surface, and the coupling element can, for example, be at least partially inserted into the decorative surface for this purpose. This arrangement allows light from the light source to be coupled into the input area and then forwarded via the intermediate area to the output area of ​​the coupling element. The light forwarded to the output area is released at the end of the output area of ​​the coupling element. The coupling element according to the invention has the advantage of enabling a cost-effective and simple lighting arrangement in a decorative surface.Furthermore, the coupling element according to the invention can advantageously increase the optical efficiency by reducing scattering losses.

[0007] Advantageously, the coupling area can be arranged on one side of the decorative surface, with the coupling area coupling the light coupled into the coupling area towards the opposite side of the decorative surface and / or at the opposite side of the decorative surface. This allows the light source to be advantageously covered by the decorative surface.

[0008] Preferably, the intermediate region can include an optical element. The coupled light is guided from the coupling region into the intermediate region, strikes the optical element of the intermediate region, and is coupled out at the end of the coupling region. Such a coupling element has the advantage that the light from the light source is not emitted directly through the decorative surface and that, instead, the properties of the light, such as focus, beam direction, and / or color, can be controlled by the optical element, thereby increasing design freedom, particularly in the choice of the light source and / or the decorative surface.

[0009] The optical element located in the intermediate region between the coupling and output regions can preferably be a mirror, which deflects the coupled-in light. The mirror can be oriented such that the light striking the mirror from the coupling region is deflected into the output region. The orientation of the mirror depends on the angle between the coupling and output regions. The optical element can, in particular, comprise a plurality of mirrors. Furthermore, the optical element can be at least one lens and / or at least one lens and at least one mirror. Preferably, the lens can be a converging lens that focuses the light striking the lens from the coupling region onto an arbitrary point in the output region and / or behind the decorative surface. This reduces scattering losses and improves illumination behind the decorative surface.The optical element can, in particular, be an optical grating arrangement and / or an optical prism, especially in conjunction with a shield, whereby the coupled light can be deflected and / or dispersed into its colors. This also allows the optical element to control the color of the coupled light.

[0010] Preferably, the intermediate region can deflect and / or focus the coupled light towards the output region. In particular, an inner surface of the intermediate region can deflect and / or focus the light. Specifically, the coupled light can be deflected and / or focused by means of total internal reflection at a surface of the intermediate region and / or on an inner surface of the intermediate region. "Total internal reflection" here means that little to no light, or even none at all, directed from the input region into the intermediate region, especially onto a surface within the intermediate region, is absorbed or transmitted by the intermediate region. For this purpose, the intermediate region can have an inner surface that is inclined relative to a longitudinal axis of the input region at the so-called critical angle.The critical angle is the angle at which, depending on the refractive indices of the interfaces—in particular, an interface between air and the intermediate region, or between an inner and outer surface of the intermediate region—the light incident on the interface is reflected almost without loss and completely. This allows the light from the input region to be deflected by the intermediate region towards the output region and / or focused onto it without the need for an additional element. The focusing effect of the intermediate region can be achieved, for example, by means of a curved surface, in particular by means of a curved interface of the intermediate region as described above.Such an arrangement of the coupling element provides a cost-effective and space-saving way to redirect and / or focus the light from the coupling area into the coupling area.

[0011] Preferably, an inner surface of the intermediate region can have a reflective coating by which the coupled light is deflected and / or focused towards the output coupling region. This further reduces scattering losses.

[0012] Advantageously, the coupling element includes an optical fiber that runs from the light source to the coupling area and couples light from the light source into the coupling area. The coupling area is designed to accommodate the optical fiber. This means that one end of the optical fiber is located in the coupling area and the other end is at the light source. This allows for virtually lossless transmission of light from the light source to the coupling area.

[0013] Preferably, the coupling area of ​​the coupling element can be designed to accommodate the light source. The light source is arranged in the coupling area of ​​the coupling element and connected to an external current and / or voltage source via electrical connections. This advantageously provides a simple and space-saving design and reduces stray losses.

[0014] Preferably, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the coupling area and a longitudinal axis of the coupling area can be between 160° and 45°, particularly between 100° and 80°, and particularly 90°. The longitudinal axis of the coupling area can, in particular, be parallel to the decorative surface. The longitudinal axis of the coupling area can preferably be perpendicular to the decorative surface. Conventionally, optical fibers are inserted into the decorative surface perpendicular to the surface, starting from a light source. The optical fibers must be bent in a high arc between their end in the decorative surface and the light source to avoid high scattering losses and / or breakage of the optical fibers. By providing a coupling element in the present invention in which the coupling area and the coupling area are angled relative to each other, a space-saving design can be achieved.In particular, optical fibers running from the light source to the coupling area do not need to be bent in a sharp arc. Instead, the optical fibers between the light source and the coupling area can run essentially parallel to the decorative surface. This reduces stray losses and prevents breaks in the optical fibers. If the light source is positioned in the coupling area as described above, electrical connections linking the light source to the external power / voltage source can also be arranged essentially parallel to the decorative surface.

[0015] Preferably, the end of the extraction area, where the light is extracted, can be flush with the decorative surface. This reduces scattering losses of the extracted light, which occur when the light is extracted within the decorative surface.

[0016] Preferably, the output coupling area is an optical waveguide or is formed from an optical waveguide material. Here, "optical waveguide material" refers to any and all materials from which optical waveguides are formed. In particular, "optical waveguide material" is not limited to a single material. The output coupling area can also be formed from several optical waveguide materials. Specifically, the output coupling area can be formed from quartz glass and / or plastic. In particular, the output coupling area can be formed from a fiber optic cable comprising a plurality of optical waveguides. This allows the light from the light source to be coupled out at the output coupling area with virtually no loss. Furthermore, such an output coupling area results in a particularly high-quality aesthetic appearance of the coupled light.Alternatively, the intermediate region and / or the coupling region and / or the coupling region can be formed from such an optical waveguide material.

[0017] Preferably, the coupling element comprises a fastening arrangement that secures the coupling element to the decorative surface. In particular, the coupling element has a collar that at least partially encloses the coupling element, especially in one circumferential direction. The collar can be attached to the decorative surface, for example, with an adhesive, and / or to it in a form-fitting manner, for example, with bolts or screws. This allows the coupling element to be attached to the decorative surface, in particular in a detachable manner.

[0018] Furthermore, the coupling element can be made in one piece and / or from a single material. This allows the coupling element to be manufactured in high quantities, especially using injection molding tools, and at low cost.

[0019] The invention further relates to a decorative surface, in particular a headliner and / or an interior panel, for example a door panel, which has at least one coupling element according to one of the embodiments described above. Because the coupling element has a simple design and saves space compared to conventional lighting arrangements, the space covered by the decorative surface can be used for other purposes, for example, for insulation. For a particularly high-quality aesthetic, the decorative surface preferably comprises a large number, for example, several hundred, and in particular several thousand, of coupling elements. Since the coupling elements can be manufactured cost-effectively, significant overall costs for such a decorative surface with a large number of coupling elements can be saved.

[0020] The invention also relates to a vehicle which has at least one coupling element. The coupling element can advantageously be installed in an interior assembly of the vehicle.

[0021] In particular, the invention relates to a vehicle comprising the decorative surface. The decorative surface can be made of any textile and / or leather and / or plastic and / or wood.

[0022] Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the figures. These show: Fig. 1 a lateral sectional view of a coupling element according to a first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 a lateral sectional view of a coupling element according to a second embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 a lateral sectional view of a coupling element according to a third embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 4 a lateral sectional view of a coupling element according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5 a lateral sectional view of a coupling element according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a side sectional view of a coupling element 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The coupling element 1 comprises an input region 3 for coupling in light from a light source 6, an output region 4 for coupling out the coupled light, and an intermediate region 19, which is arranged between the input region 3 and the output region 4 and comprises an optical element 5. The intermediate region 19 extends from an end 21 of the input region 3, which is located in Fig. The coupling area 3 is represented by a dashed line, extending to the beginning 20 of the output coupling area 4, which is also represented by a dashed line, where "beginning" and "end" refer to the direction of the light beam. The coupling area 3 is formed as a hollow cylinder within the coupling element 1. Alternatively, the coupling area 3 can also have a hollow cuboid shape or any other arbitrary shape. In this embodiment, the output coupling area 4 is also cylindrical. Alternatively, the output coupling area 4 and / or the intermediate area 19 can also be cuboidal or have any other arbitrary shape. In this embodiment, the intermediate area 19 has an angled rear wall 12. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the optical element 5 is a mirror that reflects the light coupled into the coupling area 3 and thereby deflects it into the output coupling area 4.The optical element 5 is arranged on the rear wall 12 of the intermediate area 19 between the coupling area 3 and the coupling area 4. Alternatively, however, the optical element 5 can be configured as a reflective inner surface 16 (see, for example, also ). Fig. 3) of the intermediate region 19. In this embodiment, the intermediate region 19 connects the coupling region 3 and the coupling region 4. The rear wall 12 of the intermediate region 19 is angled towards the coupling region 3 and the coupling region 4, in particular at 45° to these. The optical element 5 can in particular also be an optical grating, especially a reflection grating.

[0024] In this embodiment, the extraction area 4 projects into a decorative surface 2. The decorative surface 2 may have an opening provided for this purpose. Alternatively, the extraction area 4 can be designed as tapering to a point at one end 11 and at least partially embedded in the decorative surface 2, in particular pierced through the decorative surface 2. Furthermore, the decorative surface 2 comprises a first side 7 and a second side 8. In this embodiment, the end 11 of the extraction area 4, at which the coupled light is extracted, is flush with the second side 8 of the decorative surface 2. However, the extraction area 4 can also project only partially into the decorative surface 2, so that the end 11 of the extraction area 4 is not flush with the second side 8 of the decorative surface 2. This means that the end 11 can also be located within the decorative surface 2 between the first side 7 and the second side 8 of the decorative surface 2.In this embodiment, the coupling area 3 is essentially parallel to the decorative surface 2, and the coupling area 4 is essentially perpendicular to the decorative surface 2. This means that the angle α between a longitudinal axis 17 of the coupling area 3 and a longitudinal axis 18 of the coupling area 4 is approximately 90°. Alternatively, the angle α can deviate from this. In particular, the longitudinal axis 18 of the coupling area 4 can have an angle of 45° to 90° with respect to the decorative surface 2, and / or the longitudinal axis 17 of the coupling area 3 can have an angle of 45° to 90° with respect to the decorative surface 2. The angle between the optical element 5 and the longitudinal axes 17, 18 of the coupling area 3 and the coupling area 4 is selected such that the optical element 5 deflects the light coupled into the coupling area 3 to the coupling area 4, or focuses it therein.In this embodiment, the angle between the optical element 5 and the longitudinal axes 17, 18 of the coupling area 3 and the coupling area 4 is approximately 45°.

[0025] The coupling element 1 can be made, for example, of a plastic, in particular a transparent plastic, and / or of quartz glass. In particular, the output coupling area 4 and / or the input coupling area 3 and / or the intermediate area 19 can be designed as an optical waveguide or made of an optical waveguide material, so that the coupled light can be transmitted almost without loss and subsequently coupled out at the end 11 of the output coupling area 4. In particular, the input coupling area 3, the intermediate area 19, and the output coupling area 4 can be formed in one piece. The coupling element 1 according to this embodiment also has a fastening arrangement 9, which is designed as a circular or rectangular collar that at least partially encloses the coupling element 1 between the input coupling area 3 and the output coupling area 4 in a circumferential direction of the coupling element 1.The fastening arrangement 9 can, for example, be bonded and / or positively connected to the first side 7 of the decorative surface 2, in particular by means of screws, such that the coupling element 1 is attached to the decorative surface 2, in particular detachably attached. In particular, the coupling area 4 can, for example, be connected to the decorative surface 2 via a screw thread and thereby force-fit the fastening arrangement 9 to the decorative surface 2. The fastening arrangement 9 can, in particular, be formed as a single unit with the coupling area 4 and / or the coupling area 3.

[0026] In this embodiment, the light emitted by the light source 6 is transmitted to the coupling element 1 via an optical fiber 10. The optical fiber 10 is inserted into the coupling area 3, so that the light from the light source 6 is coupled into the coupling area 3 of the coupling element 1 via the optical fiber 10. In conventional lighting arrangements on decorative surfaces, optical fibers are inserted perpendicularly into the surface. However, these optical fibers must be bent to run from the surface to the light source and to transmit light from the light source to the surface, resulting in high scattering losses in the optical fibers and requiring a large amount of space for them.Because the coupling element 1 is provided in the present embodiment, the optical waveguides 10 running from the light source 6 to the coupling element 1 can run essentially parallel to the decorative surface 2, thereby reducing scattering losses and the space required for the optical waveguides 10. Furthermore, because the output coupling area 4 can be formed from optical waveguide material, a particularly aesthetic star pattern can be achieved and scattering losses can be further reduced.

[0027] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a side sectional view of a coupling element 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the first embodiment, the coupling area 3 is designed here to accommodate a light source 6. The light source 6 is connected to an external current and voltage source 13 via an electrical connection 14. This allows light from the light source 6 to be coupled directly into the coupling area 3 without having to pass through an additional optical waveguide, as in Figure 2. Fig. Figure 1 shows how the light emitted by the light source 6 is transmitted. The optical element 5, which is a mirror and has an angle of 45° to the longitudinal axis 17 of the coupling area 3, is deflected into the coupling area 4 and coupled out at the end 11 of the coupling area 4. By using the electrical connections 14 instead of the optical waveguides 10 of embodiment 1, further space can be saved and stray losses reduced.

[0028] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a side sectional view of a coupling element 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the first embodiment, the optical element 5 in this embodiment comprises a mirror 16 and a lens 15. Furthermore, in contrast to the first embodiment, the mirror 16 is designed as a reflective inner surface 16 of the intermediate area 19, in particular the rear wall 12. This means that an inner surface of the rear wall 12 of the intermediate area 19 is designed with a reflective coating or film, for example made of aluminum, gold, or silver, particularly also in combination with glass, as reflective, especially for visible light. As an alternative to the reflective coating in the intermediate area 19, the light in the intermediate area 19, in particular at the reflective inner surface 16 of the intermediate area 19, can be reflected by total internal reflection.For this purpose, the rear wall 12 is inclined at 60° - 30°, in particular 50° - 40°, in particular 45°, with respect to the longitudinal axis 17 of the coupling area 3. The inclination of the rear wall 12 to the coupling area 3 depends essentially on the refractive index of the intermediate area 19 and the angle α. If the intermediate area 19 is formed from a transparent plastic and / or glass, the angle between the rear wall 12 and the longitudinal axis 17 is approximately 50° - 40°, in particular 45°, in this embodiment.

[0029] The lens 15 is designed and positioned in the intermediate region 19 such that it collects the light coupled into the coupling region 3 from the optical waveguide 10 and deflects it onto the mirror 16, thus illuminating the mirror 16 more homogeneously. This also results in homogeneous illumination of the output coupling region 4, leading to a reduction in scattering losses. Here too, the light source 6 can be used in place of the optical waveguide 10 in the coupling region 3, as described in Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 shown, arranged. This means that the coupling area 3 of the coupling element 1 of the third embodiment can be designed to receive the light source 6.

[0030] The Fig. Figure 4 shows a side sectional view of a coupling element 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the first and third embodiments, the rear wall 12 of the intermediate region 19 is curved. Furthermore, the inner surface of the rear wall 12 is designed as a reflective inner surface 16. In particular, the reflection of the light can also be achieved by total internal reflection without a reflective coating on the reflective inner surface 16. Because the rear wall 12 is curved and the inner surface of the rear wall 12 is designed as a reflective inner surface 16, the light coupled into the coupling region 3 by the optical waveguide 10 can be collected and deflected in order to be focused and / or homogeneously coupled out at the end 11 of the coupling region 4. Here too, the light source 6 can be located in the coupling region 3 instead of the optical waveguide 10, as in Figure 4. Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 shown, arranged. This means that the coupling area 3 of the coupling element 1 of the fourth embodiment can be designed to receive the light source 6.

[0031] The Fig.Figure 5 shows a side sectional view of a coupling element 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In contrast to the second embodiment, the coupling area 3 and the intermediate area 19 are arranged parallel to the coupling area 4, with both the coupling area 3 and the coupling area 4 being perpendicular to the decorative surface 2. This means that a longitudinal axis 17 of the coupling area 3 runs centrally through the intermediate area 19 and the coupling area 4 and is perpendicular to the decorative surface 2, i.e., that the longitudinal axis 17 of the coupling area 3 and the longitudinal axis 18 of the coupling area 4 coincide. Furthermore, the optical element 5 is designed as a lens 15, in particular as a converging lens. This allows light emitted by the light source 6 to be focused and coupled out in the coupling area 4.The lens 15 can in particular be designed and arranged in the intermediate area 19 such that the output coupling area 4 is homogeneously illuminated by the light source 6.

[0032] In embodiments one to five of the present invention, the coupling area 4 can be formed from at least one optical waveguide material such as quartz glass or plastic, in particular transparent plastic, thereby achieving a particularly aesthetic starry appearance. Furthermore, the end 11 of the coupling area 4 of the coupling elements 1 can also be arranged between the first side 7 and the first side 8 of the decorative surface 2 according to embodiments one to five. If such a coupling element 1 is installed, for example, in a decorative surface of a vehicle, it can be avoided that the coupling element 1 is perceptible to a user of the vehicle when touching the decorative surface 2. The light source 6 can also be any light source, in particular an LED. Typically, a plurality of coupling elements 1 are installed in a decorative surface 2 to achieve a particularly aesthetic starry appearance, in particular a starry sky appearance. Reference symbol list: 1 coupling element 2 Decorative surface 3 Coupling area 4 Decoupling area 5 optical element 6 light source 7 first side of the decorative surface 8 second side of the decorative surface 9 Mounting arrangement 10 optical fibers 11. Coupling end of the coupling area 12 Rear wall of the coupling element 13 Power / voltage source 14 electrical connection 15 lenses 16 reflective inner surfaces 17 Longitudinal axis of the coupling area 18 Longitudinal axis of the decoupling area 19 Intermediate area 20 Beginning of the coupling area 21 End of the coupling area α Angle between the longitudinal axes of the coupling area and the coupling area

Claims

Coupling element (1) for a decorative surface (2), comprising: • an input area (3) for coupling in light from a light source (6), • an output area (4) for coupling out the coupled light, and • an intermediate area (19) which is arranged between the input area (3) and the output area (4), wherein • the output area (4) projects at least into the decorative surface (2), characterized in that • the input area (3) is designed to receive the light source (6). Coupling element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling area (3) is arranged on one side (7) of the decorative surface (2) and the coupling area (4) couples the coupled light in the direction of the opposite side (8) of the decorative surface (2). Coupling element (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate area (19) comprises an optical element (5). Coupling element (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the optical element (5) is a mirror (5) and / or a lens (15), in particular a converging lens, for deflecting and / or focusing the light. Coupling element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the intermediate area (19), in particular an inner side (16) of the intermediate area (19), deflects and / or focuses the coupled light, in particular by means of total internal reflection. Coupling element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an inner side (16) of the intermediate area (19) has a reflective coating for deflecting and / or focusing the coupled light. Coupling element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an angle (α) between a longitudinal axis (17) of the coupling area (3) and a longitudinal axis (18) of the disengagement area (4) is between 160° and 45°, in particular between 100° and 80°, in particular 90°. Coupling element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an end (11) of the coupling area (4) at which the light is coupled out is flush with the decorative surface (2). Coupling element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the coupling area (4) is formed from an optical waveguide material. Coupling element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by a fastening arrangement (9), in particular a collar at least partially enclosing the coupling element (1), which fastens the coupling element (1) to the decorative surface (2). Decorative surface (2), in particular a headliner or interior trim of a vehicle, comprising at least one coupling element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10. Vehicle comprising the coupling element (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10. Vehicle comprising the decorative surface (2) according to claim 11.

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