Lighting device for illuminating an interior component of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device (20) for an interior component (28) of a motor vehicle (10). The lighting device (20) comprises a light source (22), an interior component (28), and a light guide (24, 26) which connects the light source (22) to the interior component (28) of the motor vehicle (10). The interior component (28) has a body (30, 32, 34, 42, 52) into which light emitted by the light source (22) is coupled. The body (30, 32, 34, 42, 52) has a transparent structuring surface (62) from which the coupled-in light is emitted. Preferably, the body (30, 32, 34, 42, 52) has at least one interface (54) which has a geometry deviating from a cylindrical, cubic, or planar shape. The invention further relates to a scenting module (70) for a motor vehicle (10) with such a lighting device (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting device for illuminating an interior component of a motor vehicle, in particular a fragrance module in a motor vehicle, and to a motor vehicle with such a lighting device.

[0002] Numerous concepts and components are known for illuminating vehicle interiors. To increase passenger comfort and to personalize vehicles, illuminated seat belt buckles, for example, are used to make it easier to find the buckle in the dark. Furthermore, interior lighting systems in motor vehicles are known, which can comprise one or more light units to highlight vehicle components. For example, circumferential LED strips are particularly widespread in vehicle interiors, where the color of the lighting can be individually adjusted or selected from a defined spectrum of colors. This type of lighting concept is also referred to as "ambient lighting."Furthermore, lighting for components of the dashboard, in particular for illuminating air vents, for illuminating components in a center console of the motor vehicle and for illuminating components in doors, in particular switches or loudspeakers, are known.

[0003] Furthermore, scenting systems with scenting devices are known from the prior art, in which a fragrance is introduced into a vehicle interior at specific points. This creates a pleasant odor. A carrier air stream is generated by a scenting fan and passed through a scent cartridge to mix with the volatile scent. Modern scenting systems also allow for the selection of different scents.

[0004] DE 10 2021 201 272 A1 discloses a fragrance dispensing device for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing, a circuit board, and at least one cartridge containing a fragrance held in the housing. To enable an improved optical design and additional optical functions, a lighting device is provided, by means of which at least one cover and / or a design element of the fragrance dispensing device can be at least partially illuminated.

[0005] DE 20 2022 106 992 U1 discloses a fragrance device for a motor vehicle, which comprises a housing having a fragrance cartridge receptacle for accommodating at least one fragrance cartridge, and a lighting device arranged thereon that can be controlled by a control device of the housing. The control device is configured to illuminate the fragrance cartridge receptacle.

[0006] The disadvantage of the existing solutions, however, is that only a panel on the cartridge facing the vehicle interior is illuminated. This limits the lighting options.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of improving the lighting of an interior component in a motor vehicle and creating a novel lighting experience for the occupants of the motor vehicle and thus enhancing the vehicle interior of the motor vehicle.

[0008] The problem is solved by a lighting device for an interior component of a motor vehicle. The lighting device comprises a light source, an interior component, and a light guide which connects the light source to the interior component of the motor vehicle. The interior component has a body into which light emitted by the light source is coupled. The body has a transparent, structuring surface from which the coupled-in light is radiated. The lighting system according to the invention enables the illumination of interior components, wherein the coupled-in light from the light source is radiated from the transparent surface of the hollow body. This can create a lighting experience for the vehicle interior that is perceived by vehicle occupants as being of particularly high quality.

[0009] The additional features listed in the dependent claims enable advantageous further developments and improvements of the lighting device for a motor vehicle listed in the independent claim.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the lighting device, the body has at least one boundary surface with a geometry that deviates from a cylindrical, cubic, or planar shape. Such a boundary surface allows for additional variations in the light emitted from the transparent surface of the interior component. This results in additional refraction of the light, which enhances the perceived quality of the interior component and / or the lighting experience.

[0011] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the interior component comprises a plurality of bodies, which are supplied with light from the light source via a common light guide. In this way, in particular, a plurality of geometrically similar interior components, for example, a plurality of bodies arranged in parallel, can be illuminated. Only one light source is required to illuminate the plurality of interior components.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the lighting system, the light guide is coupled directly into the body or a cartridge cover connected to the body. This allows for particularly uniform illumination of the body of the interior component. Many passengers find such uniform lighting particularly pleasant and high-quality.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the lighting device, the light guide, extending from the light source, divides into a first light guide and a second light guide at a junction. Dividing the light guide into a first light guide and a second light guide enables a further improvement in the illumination of the interior component. Furthermore, the design options for the lighting of the interior component are further expanded, allowing the lighting experience to be further enhanced.

[0014] It is preferred if a first coupling surface is formed on the interior component, at which the light from the first light guide is coupled into the interior component, and wherein a second coupling surface is formed on the interior component, at which the light from the second light guide is coupled into the interior component. By coupling the light multiple times on different sides of the body, a lighting design can be created that is perceived as particularly pleasant. In addition to reflecting various design components of the interior component through the light, lettering or a logo, for example a name of the interior component, a logo of the manufacturer or the like, can also be appropriately staged by the light.

[0015] It is particularly preferred if the first coupling surface and the second coupling surface are formed on different sides or surfaces of the interior component, in particular on opposite sides or surfaces or on sides or surfaces arranged at right angles to one another. This allows additional lighting effects to be achieved, for example, through uneven refraction on the surface of the vehicle interior component.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the lighting device, the light source comprises an LED, an OLED, a micro-LED, or a laser diode. This enables particularly energy-efficient illumination of the interior component. Furthermore, a color change can be controlled when the lighting is provided by an LED, a micro-LED, or an OLED, so that the transparent surface of the interior component can be illuminated in different colors. The color of the lighting can change depending on the operating parameters of the interior component. For example, in a fragrance module, a color change can occur depending on the fill level of the cartridges, the fragrance intensity, or the selected fragrance. Furthermore, control surfaces can be illuminated accordingly to facilitate operation of the interior component.

[0017] A further aspect of the invention relates to a fragrance module for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle, which comprises at least one illuminable cartridge, preferably a plurality of illuminable cartridges, with a transparent, structuring surface, as well as such a lighting device. Thus, the fragrance experience of the vehicle interior can be visually enhanced by the lighting device, creating a particularly pleasant ambience in the vehicle interior.

[0018] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle having a vehicle interior in which such a lighting device is arranged.

[0019] The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless otherwise stated in the individual case.

[0020] The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Fig. 1 shows a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle with a lighting device according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention for an interior component of a motor vehicle in a plan view; Fig. 3 that in Fig. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention for an interior component of a motor vehicle in a side view; Fig. 4 that in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a lighting device according to the invention for an interior component of a motor vehicle in a three-dimensional view; and Fig. 5 shows a further embodiment of an illuminable vehicle interior component which can be illuminated with a lighting device according to the invention.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a vehicle interior 18 of a motor vehicle 10. The motor vehicle 10 comprises a body 12 as well as doors 14 and windows 16, which define the vehicle interior 18 and enable entry and exit into the vehicle interior. A lighting device 20 is provided in the vehicle interior 18, with which an interior component 28 can be illuminated accordingly. Preferably, the lighting of the interior component 28 can be integrated into an ambient lighting system 78 of the vehicle interior 18.

[0022] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of a lighting device 20 according to the invention for an interior component 28 of a motor vehicle 10. The lighting device 20 comprises a light source 22, preferably an LED 72, an OLED 74, or a laser diode 76. The light source 22 has a coupling element 64, at which the light from the light source 22 is coupled into a light guide 24, 26 connected to the light source 22, which connects the light source 22 to the interior component 28.

[0023] The light guide 24, 26 has a branch 44, at which the light guide 24, 26 branches in a Y-shape into a first light guide 24 and a second light guide 26, wherein the first light guide 24 guides the light of the light source 22 to a first coupling surface 66 on a body 52 of the interior component 28 and the second light guide 26 guides the light of the light source 22 to a second coupling surface 68 on a body 52 of the interior component 28.

[0024] In this exemplary embodiment, the interior component 28 is designed as a fragrance module 70 for fragrance-dispensing the vehicle interior 18, which comprises a first cartridge 30, a second cartridge 32, and a third cartridge 34. The cartridges 30, 32, 34 are designed as fragrance cartridges 42 and are configured to store a fragrance that can be released into the vehicle interior 18. The cartridges 30, 32, 34 each have a cartridge lid 36, 38, 40, with which the cartridge 30, 32, 34 can be closed.

[0025] Three coupling-out structures 46, 48, 50 are formed on each of the light guides 24, 26 in order to couple the light out of the respective light guide 24, 26 and to couple it into the body 52 of the interior component 28.

[0026] The interior component 28 has a transparent surface 62, at which the light coupled into the body 52 of the interior component 28 is emitted. The body 52 of the interior component 28 preferably has at least one interface 54, which has a geometry deviating from a cylindrical, cubic, or planar shape. Such an interface 54 can be achieved in particular by the shape of the vehicle interior component 28, wherein such an interface 54 is formed in particular on a cartridge 30, 32, 34 in order to enhance the visual impression of the cartridge 30, 32, 34. Alternatively or additionally, further design elements 56, such as a logo 58 or lettering 60, can be formed on the body 52 or on a cover 36, 38, 40 of the interior component 28 in order to improve the visual impression of the interior component 28.These additional design elements 56, 58, 60 can also be illuminated by the lighting device 20, creating a high-quality lighting experience for the vehicle occupants. In particular, the lighting of the interior component 28 can be integrated into or coupled with ambient lighting 78 of the vehicle interior 18 in order to create a preferably individually adjustable feel-good ambience. Furthermore, if the interior component 28 is configured as a fragrance module 70, a lighting experience can be created that is in harmony with the fragrance of the vehicle interior 18 or visually supports the fragrance.

[0027] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of a lighting device 20 according to the invention for an interior component 28 of a motor vehicle 10. The lighting device 20 comprises a light source 22, preferably an LED 72, an OLED 74, a micro-LED, or a laser diode 76. The light source 22 has a coupling element 64, at which the light from the light source 22 is coupled into a light guide 24, 26 connected to the light source 22, which connects the light source 22 to the interior component 28.

[0028] The light guide 24, 26 has a branch 44, at which the light guide 24, 26 branches in a Y-shape into a first light guide 24 and a second light guide 26, wherein the first light guide 24 guides the light of the light source 22 to a first coupling surface 66 on a body 52 of the interior component 28 and the second light guide 26 guides the light of the light source 22 to a second coupling surface 68 on a body 52 of the interior component 28.

[0029] The light from the light guides 24, 26 is coupled into a cartridge cover 36, 38, 40 of the cartridges 30, 32, 34 at an interface 54, which has a structured surface 62 and thus refracts the light. This creates a particularly impressive lighting experience.

[0030] The coupling of the two light guides 24, 26 takes place on opposite sides of the covers 36, 38, 40, whereby a particularly uniform illumination of the vehicle interior component 28, in particular the cartridges 30, 32, 34 of a fragrance module 70 is achieved.

[0031] In Fig. 4 shows a preferred embodiment of a lighting device 20 according to the invention for an interior component 28 of a motor vehicle 10 in a three-dimensional representation. In particular, the division of the light guide 24, 26, starting from the light source 22 at the branch 44, into a first light guide 24 and a second light guide 26 can be seen. Furthermore, Fig. 4 it can be seen particularly well how the coupling of the light from the two light guides 24, 26 at the respective coupling structures 46, 48, 50 into the coupling surfaces 66, 68 of the interior component 28 takes place.

[0032] As an alternative to coupling on both sides of a cover 36, 38, 40, coupling into the cover and coupling into the body 52 of the respective cartridge 30, 32, 34 would also be possible in order to realize an alternative design of the illumination.

[0033] Furthermore, Fig. 4 that the light coupled into the cover 36, 38, 40 or into the body 52 is emitted through a transparent, structured surface 62, whereby a corresponding scattering of the light in the vehicle interior 18 can be achieved, which represents a particularly pleasant lighting experience.

[0034] In Fig.Figure 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an illuminable vehicle interior component 28 and a lighting device 20 according to the invention. The interior component 28 has a body 52 and a cover 36, wherein at least one transparent, structured surface 62 is formed on the body 52 and on the cover 36 in order to emit the light coupled into the interior component 28. In this exemplary embodiment, the light source 22 can comprise a plurality of LEDs or OLEDs, each of which has a color-changing mechanism. In this way, the different cartridges 30, 32, 34 of a fragrance module 70 can be illuminated in different colors. Furthermore, it is possible to regulate the illumination intensity of the light sources 22 differently, so that one cartridge 30, 32, 34 can be illuminated more brightly than the other cartridges 30, 32, 34.Furthermore, it is also possible to illuminate only a portion of the cartridges 30, 32, 34 and not to illuminate the remaining portion of the cartridges 30, 32, 34. Thus, for example, in a fragrance module 70 with several different fragrance cartridges 42, it is possible to visually highlight which fragrance cartridge 42 is currently activated. List of reference symbols 10 motor vehicle 12 Body 14 Door 16 slices 18 Vehicle interior 20 Lighting equipment 22 Light source 24 first light guide 26 second light guide 28 Interior components 30 first cartridge 32 second cartridge 34 third cartridge 36 first cartridge cover 38 second cartridge cover 40 third cartridge cover 42 fragrance cartridges 44 Branching (of the optical fiber) 46 first decoupling structure 48 second coupling structure 50 third coupling structure 52 bodies 54 Interface 56 design elements 58 Logo 60 lettering 62 Surface 64 coupling element 66 first coupling area 68 second coupling surface 70 Fragrance device 72 LED 74 OLED 76 laser diodes 78 Ambient lighting QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2021 201 272 A1

[0004] DE 20 2022 106 992 U1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Lighting device (20) for an interior component (28) of a motor vehicle (10), comprising: - a light source (22), - an interior component (28), and - a light guide (24, 26) which connects the light source (22) to the interior component (28) of the motor vehicle (10), wherein - the interior component (28) has a body (30, 32, 34, 42, 52) into which a light emitted by the light source (22) is coupled, wherein - the body (30, 32, 34, 42, 52) has a transparent structuring surface (62) from which the coupled-in light is emitted. [2] Lighting device (20) according to claim 1, wherein the body (30,32, 34, 42, 52) has at least one boundary surface (54) which has a geometry deviating from a cylindrical, cubic or planar shape. [3] Lighting device (20) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the interior component (28) has a plurality of bodies (30, 32, 34, 42, 52) which are supplied with light from the light source (22) by a common light guide (24, 26). [4] Lighting device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body (30, 32, 34, 42, 52) is a cartridge (30, 32, 34), in particular a fragrance cartridge (42) of a fragrance module (70) for a vehicle interior (18) of the motor vehicle (10). [5] Lighting device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light guide (24, 26) is coupled directly into the body (52) or a cartridge cover (36, 38, 40) connected to the body (52). [6] Lighting device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light guide (24, 26) is divided into a first light guide (24) and a second light guide (26) starting from the light source (22) at a branch (44). [7] Lighting device (20) according to claim 6, wherein Interior component (28) has a first coupling surface (66) formed thereon, at which the light of the first light guide (24) is coupled into the interior component (28), and wherein a second coupling surface (68) is formed thereon, at which the light of the second light guide (26) is coupled into the interior component (28). [8] Lighting device (20) according to claim 7, wherein the first coupling surface (66) and the second coupling surface (68) are formed on different sides or surfaces of the interior component (28). [9] Lighting device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the light source (22) comprises an LED (72), an OLED (74), a micro-LED or a laser diode (76). [10] Fragrance module (70) for a motor vehicle (10), comprising at least one illuminable cartridge (30, 32, 34) with a transparent, structuring surface (62) and a lighting device (20) according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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