Lighting assembly of a vehicle and vehicle comprising the lighting assembly

Abstract

A lighting assembly (1) for a vehicle is proposed. The lighting assembly (1) comprises a planar lighting element (2) with an outer edge (3), wherein the lighting element (2) is designed such that, when switched on, the outer edge (3) of the lighting element (2) is perceptible as a luminous strip on the vehicle body (7). The lighting assembly (1) further comprises at least one planar louver element (4), wherein the at least one planar louver element (4) has an outer edge (5) that runs at least partially substantially parallel to the outer edge (3) of the planar lighting element (2) and is offset inwards with respect to the outer edge (3) of the lighting element (2). A vehicle (10) with at least one lighting assembly (1) is also specified.

Description

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to vehicle lighting. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a lighting assembly and a vehicle having the lighting assembly.

[0002] Design elements for vehicle design are well known. For example, design elements in the form of chrome strips are known, which are attached or formed on the exterior of the vehicle body to enhance the vehicle's design. The shape of the chrome strips generally depends on the specific vehicle model and must generally be manufactured separately for each vehicle model. The production of chrome strips is also environmentally harmful and expensive.

[0003] An object of the embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a changeable decorative element for designing vehicles.

[0004] To achieve this objective, a first aspect provides a lighting assembly for a vehicle. The lighting assembly can be configured, in particular, as part of a vehicle body and / or as an externally visible assembly that can be attached to the vehicle body.

[0005] The lighting assembly comprises a planar lighting element with an outer edge, wherein the lighting element is configured such that, when switched on, the outer edge of the lighting element is visually perceptible as a luminous strip or a luminous bar. The lighting assembly further comprises at least one planar slat element, wherein the at least one planar slat element has an outer edge that runs, at least in sections, substantially parallel to the outer edge of the planar lighting element and is offset inward or toward the vehicle interior with respect to the outer edge of the lighting element.

[0006] Depending on the operating state of the lighting element, the lighting assembly can appear different. The lighting assembly can thus function as a customizable design element. Due to the outer edge of the slat element being offset inward relative to the outer edge of the lighting element, a special visual effect can be created. In particular, when viewing the vehicle from the outside, the impression may arise that the lighting assembly has a greater installation depth than the actual installation depth of the lighting assembly. The lighting assembly can thus achieve the visual depth effect with a relatively flat or compact design, thus saving space and cost.

[0007] The at least one slat element can comprise two or more slat elements with outer edges that cascade inward. Cascading the slat elements can further enhance the depth effect or the impression of spatial depth of the lighting assembly. In particular, the planar lighting element and the slat elements can be arranged at a distance from one another, which can further enhance the depth effect or the spatial 3D effect.

[0008] The flat lighting element can be designed as an LED light strip. In particular, the flat lighting element can comprise a number of individually and / or cluster-controlled LEDs, allowing different, particularly freely programmable, color light patterns or color light patterns and / or lighting scenarios to be displayed on the LED light strip. Especially compared to chrome strips, the lighting assembly offers a high degree of design freedom. This allows the accent color of the car to be customized to individual preferences.

[0009] In some embodiments, the lighting assembly comprises a cover, wherein the cover is translucent at least in some areas, so that the planar lighting element and the at least one louvre element are visually perceptible through the cover. The cover of the lighting assembly serves to protect the lighting element and also offers further design options.

[0010] The cover can be translucent at least in some areas. In particular, the cover can be diffusely translucent at least in some areas, so that the lighting element and the at least one louvre element appear slightly diffused or blurred behind the cover. The blurred appearance of the lighting element and the louvre elements can create a special optical effect of the structural depth of the lighting assembly.

[0011] The cover can be designed, in particular, as a light guide, which has a matte finish or matte surface areas at least in some areas. By matte-finishing the light guide, the desired translucency of the cover can be easily achieved.

[0012] The lighting assembly can be designed as a front lighting assembly of the vehicle, wherein the at least one louvre element can comprise at least one louvre element designed as a rib element or grid element of an air curtain. By designing the louvre elements as rib elements of the air curtain, the lighting assembly can contribute both to the illumination and to the functionality of the air curtain, or to improving the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle.

[0013] The lighting assembly can be designed as a rear assembly of the vehicle, wherein the at least one louvre element can comprise at least one louvre element designed as a cover element or grid element of a particulate filter or dust particle filter. By designing the louvre element as a cover element or grid element of the dust particle filter, the lighting assembly can contribute both to the illumination and to the functionality of the vehicle's dust particle filter.

[0014] In some embodiments, the lighting assembly is designed as a door sill assembly of a door, in particular a side door of the vehicle. The lighting assembly designed as a door sill assembly can improve the visibility of the door sill. Furthermore, the lighting assembly with controllable LEDs can provide the vehicle design with customizable accentuation and / or transmit visually perceptible information, in particular warning signals, to other road users.

[0015] According to a second aspect, a vehicle is proposed, wherein the vehicle has one or more lighting assemblies according to the first aspect. The vehicle is characterized by an attractive and customizable design. The lighting assembly can also be used to play light patterns and send messages to other road users, thereby increasing overall road safety.

[0016] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The same reference numerals are used throughout the figures for identical or equivalent parts. Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross section through a lighting assembly according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 shows schematically a partial side view of a vehicle with a lighting assembly according to an embodiment, Fig. 3 shows a schematic front view of a vehicle with lighting assemblies according to an embodiment, and Fig. 4 shows a schematic rear view of a vehicle with lighting assemblies according to an embodiment.

[0017] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-section through a lighting assembly according to one exemplary embodiment. The lighting assembly 1 comprises a flat lighting element 2 with an outer edge 3, a number of flat slat elements 4, each with an outer edge 5, and a cover 6.

[0018] In the embodiment shown, the lighting assembly 1 is designed as a door sill assembly in the area of ​​a door sill on the vehicle body 7. The vehicle body 7 is in Fig. 1 symbolically indicated.

[0019] The cover 6 is designed such that a space for placing the lighting element 2 and the flat slat elements 4 is formed between the vehicle cover 7 and the cover 6.

[0020] The slat elements 4 are formed, at least in sections, substantially parallel to the planar lighting element 2. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the slat elements 4 are arranged at a distance from the lighting element 2 and from one another. The slat elements 4 are also designed such that the respective outer edges 5 of the slat elements 4 are cascaded and offset to the left in the image or towards the vehicle interior. The cascaded or stepped arrangement of the slat elements 4 can create the impression of spatial depth of the lighting assembly. In particular, the depth effect or 3D impression of the lighting assembly 1 can be enhanced by the arrangement of the slat elements at a distance from the lighting element and from one another.

[0021] The planar lighting element can be designed as a planar light strip, in particular as a planar light guide, wherein a light source, in particular an LED light source (not shown), can be designed to couple the light, in particular laterally, for example on the inside, into the light guide. In some embodiments, the outer edge of the lighting element 2 has a roughened or structured surface so that the light can be better coupled out at the outer edge. The increased coupling of the light from the outer edge 3 of the lighting element 2 allows the outer edge of the lighting element 2 to be better accentuated. In the embodiment shown, the planar lighting element 2 has an upper cover layer 8 and a lower cover layer 9. The upper or lower cover layer 8, 9 can in particular be designed in the form of a colored layer in order to influence the optical properties of the lighting element 2.The upper cover 8 can, for example, be color-coordinated with the slat elements 4, so that it can be visually perceived as an additional slat element. This can enhance the visual depth effect of the lighting assembly 1.

[0022] In some embodiments, the lighting element is embodied as an LED and / or OLED strip. In particular, the planar lighting element can comprise a plurality of LEDs or OLEDs arranged in a grid-like manner and controllable individually or in clusters. In particular, the planar lighting element 2 can be embodied, at least in some areas, as an LED and / or OLED display. By controlling the LEDs or OLEDs, different light patterns can be generated, in particular on the upper surface or on the outer edge 3 of the planar lighting element 2.

[0023] The cover 6 is designed to be translucent in such a way that even when the lighting element is switched off, the flat slat elements and the lighting element 2 are visible or at least recognizable through the cover 6. In particular, outside light or daylight can pass through the translucent cover, so that the depth effect occurs even when the lighting element 2 is switched off or not illuminated. The cover 6 can be designed to be translucent at least in some areas. In particular, the cover 6 can be designed to be diffusely translucent at least in some areas, so that the lighting element 2 and the slat elements 4 appear slightly blurred behind the cover 6. The diffuse appearance of the lighting element 2 and the slat elements 4 can create a special optical effect of the structural depth of the lighting assembly 1.

[0024] The cover 6 can be made of a thermoplastic material, for example, PPA (polyphthalamide) or PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), and can be manufactured, for example, using an injection molding process. The cover 6 can, for example, be matte in places and / or have a matte coating.

[0025] The slat elements 4 can also be manufactured using an injection molding process, in particular from a thermoplastic and / or thermosetting material. In some embodiments, the slat elements 4 are manufactured using a 3D printing process. Using the 3D printing process, the shape of the slat elements can be freely formed, for example, to create an inscription.

[0026] During operation, the light coupled out from the luminous element 2 can be scattered by multiple reflections on an inner wall of the cover or on the slat elements 4 in such a way that the slat elements 4, in particular the outer edges 5 of the slat elements 4, become more clearly visible.

[0027] Fig. 2 schematically shows a partial side view of a vehicle with a lighting assembly according to an embodiment. In the partial view of the vehicle 10 of Fig. 2 shows a part of the left front wing 11 and the left front door 11 of the vehicle 10, wherein a lighting assembly 1 according to the first aspect is arranged in the door sill area. The lighting assembly 1 is essentially similar to the lighting assembly 1 of Fig. 1 and comprises a planar lighting element 2 and a number of slat elements 4, which run parallel to the planar lighting element 2 in sections and are cascaded inwards. In the embodiment of the Fig. 2, the lighting assembly 1 comprises a branch 2' of the lighting element 2 running transversely to the door sill.

[0028] The path of the lighting element 2 is curved and essentially follows the path of the door sill. The branch 2' of the lighting element 2 essentially follows the contour of the side wing 11 of the vehicle 10, so that the contour of the front lower corner of the door 12 is clarified or accentuated by the lighting element 2 and branch 2'.

[0029] The lighting assembly 1 also has an inscription 13, which has been implemented by a local modification of the slat elements 4. The inscription 13 can comprise symbols and / or letters and is intended, in particular, to demonstrate by way of example that the lighting assembly 1 can be attractively provided with a logo or trademark by a corresponding modification of the slat elements 4.

[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, an air outlet of a particulate filter 14 (indicated by an arrow) is located at the front lower corner of the door 12, with the outer contour of the air outlet being marked by the branch 2' of the lighting element 2. The air outlet of the particulate filter 14 can, for example, comprise a metal foam that is painted or varnished on the outside.

[0031] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of a vehicle with lighting assemblies according to one exemplary embodiment. Two lighting assemblies 1 are arranged on the front of the vehicle 10 in the region of air curtains 15 of the vehicle 10. In particular, the lighting assemblies 1 are arranged at the air inlet of the respective air curtain 15.

[0032] The lighting assemblies 1 are essentially similar to those in the embodiments of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 and each have a lighting element 2 and slat elements 4. In Fig. 3 essentially only the outer edges of the lighting element 2 and the slat elements 4 are visible. In contrast to the embodiments of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the lighting assembly 1 has no cover.

[0033] The louvre elements 4 are arranged at a distance from the lighting element 2 and from one another such that the outside air can at least partially pass through the lighting assemblies 1 into the air curtains 15 of the vehicle 10. The lighting assemblies 1 thus serve in part as an air inlet for the air curtains 15, wherein the louvre elements can be designed as rib elements for directing the air flows of the air curtain.

[0034] Fig.4 shows a schematic rear view of a vehicle with lighting assemblies according to an exemplary embodiment. Two lighting assemblies 1 are formed at the rear of the vehicle 10. In particular, the lighting assemblies 1 are arranged at the air outlets of particle filters 16, wherein the louvre elements 4 function as grille elements of the air outlets. The louvre elements 4 are arranged at a distance from the lighting element 2 and from one another in such a way that the filtered air can at least partially pass through the lighting assemblies 1 to the outside. The lighting assemblies 1 thus serve as air outlets for the particle filters 16, wherein the louvre elements 4 can be designed as rib elements for directing the outflowing air. The air outlets of the particle filters 16 can, for example, have an externally painted orpainted metal foam, whereby the metal foam can be color-coordinated with the slat elements 4 of the lighting assembly 1.

[0035] The lighting assembly 1 thus allows for considerable design freedom and can be placed, in particular, as a decorative strip or accent strip at various locations on the vehicle body. The lighting element 2 can, in particular, have different courses or different bends and even multiple branches, so that the lighting assembly 1 offers vehicle manufacturers virtually unlimited design options. With the lighting assembly 1, for example, functional elements of the vehicle body, such as door sills, air curtain air inlets, or particle filter air outlets, can be designed in such a way that, in addition to a design highlight, a special depth effect or 3D effect is achieved, which would otherwise only be possible with voluminous, complex structures. The lighting assemblies 1 can also contribute to improving the vehicle's visibility to other road users.The lighting assemblies designed as rear assemblies can, for example, function as brake lights to clarify the braking process to vehicles following behind. The color of the lighting element, which is designed in the form of an LED strip, can also be changed thanks to the freely programmable control of the lighting element. This allows the color of the lighting element or the accent color of the car to be customized. In addition, visual information or signals can be sent to other road users via the control of the lighting element, which can increase road safety overall. In some embodiments, the flat lighting element is designed to display the current charge level of the vehicle battery. This allows the driver to be informed of the current charge level of the battery before or while getting into the vehicle.

[0036] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been shown in the foregoing description, various changes and modifications may be made. The recited embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure in any way. Rather, the foregoing description provides those skilled in the art with a road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment; numerous changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Furthermore, multiple modules or multiple products may be connected together in accordance with the principles described herein to obtain additional functions. List of reference symbols 1 lighting assembly 2 light elements 3 Outer edge of the lighting element 4 lamella element 5 Outer edge of the slat element 6 Cover 7 Vehicle body 8 upper cover layer 9 lower cover layer 10 vehicles 11 wings 12 Door 13 Inscription 14 particle filters 15 air curtain 16 particle filters

Claims

[1] Lighting assembly (1) of a vehicle (10), comprising: - a flat luminous element (2) with an outer edge (3), wherein the luminous element (2) is designed such that, in the switched-on state, the outer edge (3) of the luminous element (2) is visually perceptible as a luminous strip on the vehicle body (7), and - at least one flat slat element (4), wherein the at least one flat slat element (4) has an outer edge (5) which runs at least in sections substantially parallel to the outer edge (3) of the flat luminous element (2) and is offset inwards with respect to the outer edge (3) of the luminous element (2). [2] Lighting assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one slat element (4) comprises two or more slat elements (4) with cascaded inwardly offset outer edges (5). [3] Lighting assembly (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the planar lighting element (2) is designed as an LED light bar. [4] Lighting assembly (1) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the lighting assembly (1) has a cover (6), wherein the cover (6) is designed to be translucent at least in some areas, so that the planar lighting element (2) and the at least one slat element (4) are visually perceptible through the cover (6). [5] Lighting assembly (1) according to claim 4, wherein the light-permeable cover (6) is translucent at least in some areas. [6] Lighting assembly (1) according to claim 5, wherein the translucent cover (6) is designed as a light guide which has a matting at least in some areas. [7] Lighting assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting assembly (1) is designed as a front lighting assembly of the vehicle (10), wherein the at least one slat element (4) comprises at least one slat element (4) designed as a rib element of an air curtain (15). [8] Lighting assembly according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lighting assembly is designed as a rear lighting assembly (1) of the vehicle (10), wherein the at least one louvre element (4) comprises at least one louvre element (4) designed as a cover element of a particle filter (16). [9] Lighting assembly (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lighting assembly (1) is designed as a door sill lighting assembly (1) of a door (12). [10] Vehicle (10), wherein the vehicle (10) comprises one or more lighting assemblies (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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