Lighting equipment for ambient lighting and / or for optical orientation in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and related uses

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device (1) for ambient lighting and / or for optical orientation in a passenger compartment (20) of a motor vehicle, comprising: a first light guide element (2) with a first light output surface (2a) facing the passenger compartment (20) and a first light input surface (2b); a first light source (4) arranged to couple light into the first light guide element (2) via the first light input surface (2b), so that the light is coupled out of the first light guide element (2) via the first light output surface (2a); a second light guide element (3) with a second light output surface (3a) facing the passenger compartment (20) and a second light input surface (3b);a second light source (5) arranged to couple light into the second light-guiding element (3) via the second light-in coupling surface (3a), such that the light is coupled out of the second light-guiding element (3) via the second light-out coupling surface (3a); wherein the first light-guiding element (2) and the second light-guiding element (3) are arranged intersecting and stacked in a common intersection section (6); and related uses.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting device for ambient lighting and / or for optical orientation in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, as well as an associated use. For example, but not necessarily, the lighting device is arranged to backlight an at least translucent panel. Typically, the interior of the passenger compartment is lined with one or more decorative panels. Increasingly, this area is also used for illuminating the passenger compartment, for example, to place lighting devices that are only visible to the driver when the light source is activated, so as not to distract the driver, while when the light source is switched off, the display is not visible and disappears behind the decorative panel.However, it has also become common practice to install a lighting system with comparatively low luminosity, also known as ambient lighting, for aesthetic reasons or to improve orientation in the darkened passenger compartment. This requires not only simple linear light surfaces but also more complex shapes that, for example, display lettering, a symbol, or a brand logo. The problem here is that the light surface generally includes one or more intersections where, for example, two linear light surface sections cross. The desired uniform illumination, for aesthetic reasons, is not achieved at these intersections with conventional lighting systems.

[0002] Against this background, there was a need for a solution for a generic lighting device which, in addition to aesthetically pleasing ambient and orientation lighting, offers improved uniform illumination across the entire light emission surface and, in particular, of the aforementioned intersection sections, and which is also easily adaptable to different design requirements and designed to save installation space. This objective is achieved by a lighting device according to claim 1. An equally advantageous use is the subject of the dependent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful way and demonstrate further embodiments of the invention.The description, especially in connection with the figures, further characterizes and specifies the invention.

[0003] The invention relates to a lighting device for ambient lighting and / or for optical orientation in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle. This device comprises a first light guide element with a first light output surface facing the passenger compartment and a first light input surface, as well as a first light source arranged such that the light from the first light source is coupled into the first light guide element via the first light input surface and the light is coupled out of the first light guide element via the first light output surface.

[0004] According to the invention, the lighting device further comprises a second light guide element with a second light output surface facing the passenger compartment and a second light input surface, as well as a second light source arranged such that light from the second light source is coupled into the second light guide element via the second light input surface and the light is coupled out of the second light guide element via the second light output surface. The first and second light guide elements are, for example, made of a transparent plastic or a glass material. The first and second light guide elements are manufactured, for example, using a thermoforming process such as a single-component or multi-component injection molding process. Preferably, several first light sources and / or several second light sources are provided.The lighting device is, for example, arranged behind a transparent or translucent panel from the perspective of a vehicle occupant, in particular behind a panel with a diffusely light-scattering coating or with diffusely light-scattering particles embedded in the material of the panel.

[0005] The first and second light-guiding elements are stacked and intersecting in a common intersection section. The second light-emitting surface overlays the first light-emitting surface in a transition region of the first light-emitting surface, such that light is emitted through the second light-guiding element via its second light-emitting surface in this transition region. For example, a rear surface area formed by the second light-guiding element on the side opposite the second light-emitting surface serves as the entry point for the light exiting from the transition region of the first light-guiding element's first light-guiding surface. For example, an air gap is provided between the rear surface area of ​​the second light-guiding element and the transition region of the first light-guiding element, or both are arranged adjacent to each other. Preferably, the rear surface area is flat.

[0006] According to the invention, the first light guide element has, on its front side facing the second light guide element, a first recess in the intersection section for at least partially receiving the second light guide element, and / or the second light guide element has, on its rear side facing the first light guide element, a second recess in the intersection section for at least partially receiving the first light guide element. The shape of each recess is, for example, adapted to the cross-section of the other light guide element. The first recess and / or second recess are preferably selected such that the second light output surface is flush with the sections of the first light output surface that lie outside the transition area.

[0007] The solution according to the invention provides aesthetically sophisticated ambient or orientation lighting with improved uniform illumination over the entire light extraction surface and in particular of the aforementioned intersection sections.

[0008] Preferably, the second light output surface and the sections of the first light output surface lying outside the transition area are arranged in parallel planes, preferably in a common plane.

[0009] Preferably, the first light source is arranged on a first printed circuit board, the main surface of which forms an acute angle, preferably an angle of approximately 90°, with the sections of the first light-emitting surface lying outside the transition region. Additionally or alternatively, the second light source is preferably arranged on a second printed circuit board, the main surface of which is oriented orthogonally to the second light-emitting surface.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the lighting device, the light extraction from the second light extraction surface in the section superimposed on the transition area of ​​the first light extraction surface is carried out in such a way that the impression of an optical continuation and optical extension of the sections of the first light extraction surface lying outside the transition area is created.

[0011] Preferably, the first light extraction surface in the transition area is formed by several planar sub-surfaces positioned at an angle to each other.

[0012] Preferably, the first and second light-guiding elements are chamfered (i.e., beveled or undercut) to match each other in one or more edge regions of the transition area, particularly to ensure they run parallel in the edge region. For example, in these edge regions of the transition area, the second local thickness of the second light-guiding element, determined perpendicular to the respective light-emitting surface, and the first local thickness of the first light-guiding element vary locally in opposite directions. Preferably, this is achieved such that a constant sum of the first local thickness and the second local thickness results over the entire edge region of the transition area.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the first light source and / or the second light source are arranged such that only light is coupled into the associated light coupling surface consisting of the first light coupling surface and the second light coupling surface.

[0014] Preferably, the first light-emitting surface, at least outside the transition region, and / or the second light-emitting surface have one or more light-scattering structures, in particular microstructuring. More preferably, the light-scattering structures are embedded in a scattering layer of the respective light-guiding element consisting of the first and second light-guiding elements, or are formed by structuring its surface, wherein the scattering layer is formed in a shaping process step of the aforementioned multi-component injection molding process. Preferably, the maximum thickness of the scattering layer is selected such that the chamfering and thus the thickness variation occurring in the edge region of the transition region affects only the scattering layer, and is usually preferably in the range of 0.5 to 3 mm.

[0015] Preferably, the first light-emitting surface has no light-scattering structure in its transition area or is surface-polished there.

[0016] Preferably, the first light output surface and the first light input surface are not parallel to each other and / or the second light output surface and the second light input surface are not parallel to each other.

[0017] Preferably, the first light guiding element and / or the second light guiding element each have an internal reflective surface in order to guide the light by internal reflection from the respective light coupling surface to the light coupling surface of the same light guiding element.

[0018] Preferably, the light from the first light source and / or the second light source is coupled laterally into the nearest adjacent light-guiding element consisting of the first and second light-guiding elements. For example, when viewing the respective light-emitting surface perpendicularly, the light enters from the side.

[0019] Preferably, at least one light coupling surface consisting of a first light coupling surface and a second light coupling surface has a curvature with a plane of curvature parallel to the associated light coupling surface consisting of a first light coupling surface lying outside the transition area and a second light coupling surface.

[0020] A preferred embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention further comprises a mounting section, wherein the mounting section forms channel-shaped recesses in which the first light guide element and the second light guide element are arranged.

[0021] The invention further relates to the use of the lighting device according to one of the preceding claims in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, in particular in a visible area of ​​the door interior trim, the center console, the dashboard and / or the headliner.

[0022] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. These figures are to be understood as examples only and represent merely one preferred embodiment. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view to illustrate the use of the lighting device 1 according to the invention; Fig. 2 a perspective sectional view of an embodiment of the lighting device 1 according to the invention; Fig. 3 a detailed view of the in Fig. 2 shown embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention 1.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows the use of the lighting device 1 according to the invention in a passenger compartment 20 of a motor vehicle, wherein the lighting device 1, which is not visible in the illustrated view, is covered by an unspecified, transparent or at least translucent cover. As shown here, the lighting device 1 according to the invention is integrated into the door trim, the dashboard and / or the trim of the center console. The at least translucent cover conceals the lighting device 1, which is only recognizable by the totality of its light-emitting surfaces, in order to create a loop-shaped illuminated area by backlighting the cover, which constitutes only a small fraction of the total visible area of ​​the cover facing the occupant of the passenger compartment 20. Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional embodiment of the lighting device 1.

[0024] This includes a first light guide element 2 with a first light output surface 2a facing the passenger compartment 20 and a first light input surface 2b, as well as several first light sources 4 arranged such that the light from the first light source 4 is coupled laterally into the first light guide element 2 via the first light input surface 2b, and the light is coupled out of the first light guide element 2 via the first light output surface 2a. The first light output surface 2a and the first light input surface 2b are orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, the first light input surface 2b has a curvature with a plane of curvature parallel to the first light output surface 2a, which lies outside the transition area 2a'.

[0025] Furthermore, the first light-guiding element 2 has a first, internal reflective surface 12 due to a chamfered edge, in order to guide the light by internal reflection from the first light-input surface 2b to the first light-output surface 2a of the first light-guiding element 2. The first light sources 4 are arranged on one or more first circuit boards 8, the main surface of which is oriented orthogonally to the sections of the first light-output surface 2a lying outside the transition region 2a'.

[0026] The lighting device 1 further comprises a second light guide element 3 with a second light output surface 3a facing the passenger compartment 20 and a second light input surface 3b, as well as several second light sources 5, which are arranged such that light is coupled laterally into the second light guide element 3 via the second light input surface 3b, so that the light from the second light source 5 is coupled out of the second light guide element 3 via the second light output surface 3a. The second light output surface 3a and the second light input surface 3b are orthogonal to each other. The first light input surface 2b also has a curvature with a plane of curvature parallel to the first light output surface 2a, which lies outside the transition area 2a'.

[0027] Furthermore, the second light guide element 3 has a second, internal reflective surface 13 due to a chamfered edge, in order to guide the light by internal reflection from the second light coupling surface 3b to the second light output surface 3a of the second light guide element 3. The second light sources 5 are arranged on one or more second circuit boards 9, the main surface of which is oriented orthogonally to the second light output surface 3a. The first light guide element 2 and the second light guide element 3 are manufactured from several transparent plastics using a thermoforming process, in particular a multi-component injection molding process.

[0028] The first light guide element 2 and the second light guide element 3 are arranged intersecting and stacked in a common intersection section 6, with a mounting section 7 serving to secure the lighting device 1 to a supporting structure of the passenger compartment 20. The mounting section 7 forms channel-shaped recesses in which the first light guide element 2 and the second light guide element 3 are each arranged.

[0029] How Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the first light-guiding element 2 has a first recess 10 on its front side facing the second light-guiding element 3 in the intersection section 6 for at least partially receiving the second light-guiding element 2. The shape of this recess 10 is adapted, for example, to the cross-section of the other light-guiding element. The first recess 10 is chosen such that the second light-emitting surface 3a is flush with the sections of the first light-emitting surface 2a that lie outside the transition area 2a' and lies in a common imaginary plane with them.

[0030] The second light output surface 3a overlaps the first light output surface 2a in a transition area 2a' of the first light output surface 2a, such that light is emitted through the second light guide element 3 via its second light output surface 3a in the transition area 2a' of the first light output surface 2a. How Fig.As shown in Figure 3, a rear surface area 3b' formed by the second light guide element 3 on the side of the second light output surface 3 opposite the second light output surface 3a serves as the entry point for the light exiting from the transition area 2a' of the first light output surface 2a of the first light guide element 2. For example, as shown, an air gap is provided between the rear surface area 3b' of the second light guide element 3 and the transition area 2a' of the first light guide element 2, or both are arranged adjacently. As shown, the rear surface area 3b' is formed from several, each planar, angled sub-surfaces, and the first light output surface 2a in the transition area 2a' is also formed from several, angled, planar sub-surfaces, wherein the sub-surfaces of the first light guide element 2 are parallel to those of the second light guide element 3 in pairs, so that, among other things,In the boundary regions 11a, 11b of the transition region 2a', the light-guiding elements 2 and 3 are chamfered to match each other, i.e., chamfered or undercut. More precisely, in the boundary regions 11a, 11b of the transition region 2a' of the first light-emitting surface 2a, the second local thickness of the second light-guiding element 3, determined perpendicular to the respective light-emitting surface 2a or 3a, and the first local thickness of the first light-guiding element 2 vary locally in opposite directions, such that a constant sum of the first local thickness and the second local thickness results over the course of the respective boundary region 11a, 11b of the transition region 2a'.

[0031] The light extraction from the second light extraction surface 3a in the section 6a' superimposed on the transition region 2a' of the first light extraction surface 2a occurs in such a way that the sections of the first light extraction surface 2a lying outside the transition region 2a' appear to be optically continued and extended. For this purpose, the first light extraction surface 2a, at least outside the transition region 2a', and the second light extraction surface 3a, at least in certain areas, here in the region of the linear sections 6a and 6a', exhibit several light-scattering structures 16 in the form of a microstructuring, which are only schematically represented. In contrast, the first light extraction surface 2a has no light-scattering structure in its transition region 2a' or is surface-polished there.The light-scattering structures 16 are each formed in a scattering layer 14 of the respective light-guiding element consisting of the first light-guiding element 2 and the second light-guiding element 3. The scattering layer 14 is formed in a shaping process step of the multi-component injection molding process used to produce the respective light-guiding element. The maximum thickness of the scattering layer 14 is selected such that the thickness variation caused by the chamfer in the edge region 11b of the transition region 2a' affects only the scattering layer 14 and is preferably in the range of 0.5–3 mm.

[0032] The solution according to the invention provides aesthetically sophisticated ambient or orientation lighting with improved uniform illumination over the entire light extraction surface and in particular of the aforementioned intersection sections 6.

Claims

[1] Lighting device (1) for ambient lighting and / or for optical orientation in a passenger compartment (20) of a motor vehicle, comprising: a first light guiding element (2) with a first light output surface (2a) facing the passenger compartment (20) and a first light input surface (2b); a first light source (4) arranged such that light from the first light source (4) is coupled into the first light guide element (2) via the first light coupling surface (2b) and the light is coupled out of the first light guide element (2) via the first light coupling surface (2a); a second light guide element (3) with a second light output surface (3a) facing the passenger compartment (20) and a second light input surface (3b); a second light source (5) arranged such that light from the second light source (5) is coupled into the second light guide element (3) via the second light coupling surface (3a) and the light is coupled out of the second light guide element (3) via the second light coupling surface (3a); wherein the first light guide element (2) and the second light guide element (3) are arranged intersecting and stacked in a common intersection section (6) and the second light output surface (3a) overlaps the first light output surface (2a) in a transition area (2a') of the first light output surface (2a), such that light is emitted through the second light guide element (3) via the second light output surface (3a) in the transition area (2a') of the first light output surface (2a); and the first light guide element (2) has a first recess (10) on its front side facing the second light guide element (3) in the intersection section (6) for at least partially receiving the second light guide element (3) and / or the second light guide element (3) has a second recess on its back side facing the first light guide element (2) in the intersection section (6) for at least partially receiving the first light guide element (2). [2] Lighting device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the second light output surface (3a) and the sections of the first light output surface (2a) lying outside the transition area (2a') are arranged in parallel planes, preferably in a common plane. [3] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first recess (10) and / or second recess are selected such that the second light extraction surface (3a) is flush with the sections of the first light extraction surface (2a) lying outside the transition area (2a'). [4] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first light source (4) is arranged on a first printed circuit board (8) whose main surface is oriented orthogonally to the sections of the first light output surface (2a) lying outside the transition area (2a') and / or the second light source (5) is arranged on a second printed circuit board (9) whose main surface is oriented orthogonally to the second light output surface (3a). [5] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light extraction from the second light extraction surface (3a) in the section (6a') superimposing the transition area (2'a) of the first light extraction surface (2a) is carried out in such a way that the impression of an optical continuation and optical extension of the sections of the first light extraction surface (2a) lying outside the transition area (2a') is created. [6] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first light output surface (2a) in the transition area (2a') is formed by several planar partial surfaces angled to each other. [7] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first light guiding element (2) and the second light guiding element (3) are chamfered to match each other in one or more edge regions (11a, 11b) of the transition region (2a'). [8] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising several first light sources (4) and / or several second light sources (5). [9] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first light source (4) and / or the second light source (5) are arranged such that light is coupled exclusively into the associated light coupling surface (2b, 3b) from the first light coupling surface (2b) and the second light coupling surface (3b). [10] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first light output surface (2a) has at least outside the transition area (2a') and / or the second light output surface (3a) has at least partially one or more light-scattering structures (16), in particular a microstructuring. [11] Lighting device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the light-scattering structures (16) are formed in a scattering layer (14) of the respective light-guiding element consisting of a first light-guiding element (2) and a second light-guiding element (3). [12] Lighting device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one light guide element is produced from a first light guide element (2) and a second light guide element (3) in a multi-component injection molding process and the diffusing layer (14) is formed in a shaping process step of the multi-component injection molding process. [13] Lighting device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 10 to 12, wherein the first light output surface (2a) in the transition area (2a') does not have a light-scattering structure or is surface-polished. [14] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first light output surface (2a) and the first light input surface (2b) are not parallel to each other and / or the second light output surface (3a) and the second light input surface (3b) are not parallel to each other. [15] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first light guiding element (2) and / or the second light guiding element (3) each have an internal reflective surface (12 or 13) to guide the light by internal reflection from the respective light coupling surface (2b or 3b) to the light coupling surface (2a or 3a) of the same light guiding element (2 or 3). [16] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light from the first light source (4) and / or the second light source (5) is coupled laterally into the nearest adjacent light guide element (2 or 3) consisting of the first light guide element (2) and the second light guide element (3). [17] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one light coupling surface (2b or 3b) consisting of a first light coupling surface (2b) and a second light coupling surface (3b) has a curvature with a plane of curvature parallel to the associated light coupling surface (2a or 3a) consisting of a first light coupling surface (2a) lying outside the transition area (2a') and a second light coupling surface (3a). [18] Lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a mounting section (7) wherein the mounting section (7) forms channel-shaped recesses in which the first light guide element (2) and the second light guide element (3) are arranged. [19] Use of the lighting device (1) according to one of the preceding claims in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, in particular in a visible area of ​​the door interior trim, the center console, the dashboard and / or the headliner.

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