Interior assembly for the interior of a vehicle, as well as the vehicle comprising the interior assembly

Abstract

An interior assembly (1) for a vehicle interior is provided. The interior assembly comprises at least one storage area (2) with a floor that is at least partially translucent and / or at least partially open, and with a lighting arrangement (2a) integrated into the floor. The lighting arrangement (2a) comprises a planar luminaire (8) arranged behind and spaced apart from the translucent floor, with a rear side facing away from the translucent floor and a front side facing the translucent floor to produce a luminous structure (14) visible through the floor of the at least one storage area. Furthermore, a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has at least one interior with at least one interior assembly (1).

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to an interior assembly. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an interior assembly for the interior of a vehicle, as well as to the vehicle comprising the interior assembly.

[0002] Interior components for vehicle interiors are known, and these can be designed differently depending on their function and intended purpose. Besides functionality and safety, ergonomic and aesthetic aspects also play an important role in interior fittings, and these are often not easily reconciled.

[0003] One objective of the embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a visually appealing interior assembly with full functionality.

[0004] To solve this problem, an interior assembly for a vehicle interior is provided, according to a first aspect. The interior assembly comprises at least one storage area with a floor that is at least partially translucent and / or at least partially open, and with a lighting arrangement integrated into the floor. In particular, the at least one storage area can include at least one shelf for storing and / or holding objects. For example, the at least one storage area can have a recess or indentation so that the objects placed therein do not fall out.

[0005] The lighting arrangement comprises a planar luminaire arranged behind the translucent floor and spaced apart from the translucent floor, with a back facing away from the translucent floor and a front facing the translucent floor to create a luminous structure visible through the translucent floor of the at least one storage area.

[0006] The spaced-apart arrangement of the light source behind the translucent base creates not only attractive illumination of the storage area but also an optical depth effect. This optical depth effect can also be accompanied by a certain element of surprise, for example, when the light source is revealed when the lighting is activated and / or when objects covering the base are removed.

[0007] The base of at least one storage area can be formed, at least in part, by a translucent cover plate of the lighting arrangement. The cover plate of the lighting arrangement can thus simultaneously function as a light-emitting window for the lighting arrangement and as the base of the at least one storage area.

[0008] In some embodiments, the lighting arrangement comprises a double mirror arrangement for generating images of the luminous structure at different depth levels behind the translucent floor of the at least one storage area. The appearance of the luminous structure at different depth levels can create a visual infinity effect, in particular an illusion of infinitely repeating structures, when viewing the storage area from the driver's or passenger's perspective.

[0009] The double-mirror arrangement can comprise a substantially non-transparent or opaque mirror with a mirror surface facing the translucent base of at least one storage area. In particular, the double-mirror arrangement can be designed such that the light emitted by the light source and reflected back within the double-mirror arrangement is reflected forward again from the mirror surface facing the base. The resulting multiple reflections can enhance the visual effect of the repeating patterns.

[0010] The non-transparent mirror can be positioned with one side facing away from the translucent base of the at least one storage area against the light source and / or be at least partially incorporated into or encompassed by the light source. In particular, the non-transparent mirror can be designed such that at least part of the light source is covered by the non-transparent mirror, with the uncovered part of the light source appearing as a structured light source or light structure. Thus, the non-transparent mirror can be used both to generate multiple reflections within the mirror arrangement and to shape the light structure.

[0011] The double-mirror arrangement can further comprise at least one partially transparent mirror downstream of the essentially opaque mirror. The at least one partially transparent mirror can, in particular, have a certain degree of transparency. Specifically, the partially transparent mirror can be designed such that a certain portion of the light incident on the partially transparent mirror is transmitted. A certain portion of the incident light can be reflected back onto the opaque mirror for further reflection. Thus, a type of light recycling can occur repeatedly, in particular until the light passes through the translucent base to the outside. The proportion of light reflected by the partially transparent mirror determines the light recycling efficiency and influences the relative brightness of the luminous structures appearing at different depths.

[0012] Depending on the design, the semi-transparent mirror can have a transparency between 20% and 80%, particularly between 40% and 60%, and especially between 45% and 55%. The choice of transparency can be based on the design requirements of the lighting arrangement. In some embodiments, the semi-transparent mirror has a transparency of approximately 50%, which allows for a high degree of light recycling, sufficient for many applications, while maintaining a high luminous efficacy.

[0013] The semi-transparent mirror can be in the form of a reflective film and / or reflective layer or coating on a substantially light-transmitting, in particular translucent and / or transparent, substrate. The substrate can serve both to hold the reflective film and as an optical element for influencing the luminous properties of the lighting arrangement. The substrate of the semi-transparent mirror can simultaneously function as the end plate or light-exit window of the lighting arrangement.

[0014] In some embodiments, the carrier has a transmission of more than 50%, particularly more than 80%, especially more than 85%, and even more specifically more than 89%. In some embodiments, the carrier is made of plastic, for example, polycarbonate. The transmission of the carrier can be selected based on design requirements. In some versions, the carrier has a structure or lettering which, especially in combination with a high transmission of the carrier, can appear to float in space at the front of the lighting arrangement.

[0015] In some embodiments, the mirror film is applied to the back of the base plate of the at least one storage area, so that the base plate of the at least one storage area can act as a support for the semi-transparent mirror or the mirror film of the double mirror arrangement.

[0016] The lighting arrangement can, in particular, have a substantially axially symmetrical shape. Specifically, the luminaire can have an axially symmetrical shape, and the lighting arrangement can include a housing with a substantially axially symmetrical side wall. The luminaire and the double-mirror arrangement can be designed to be substantially plane-parallel to the translucent base plate of the at least one storage area. The plane-parallel design of the components of the lighting arrangement can, in particular, ensure that the visually perceptible structures repeat at regular intervals.

[0017] The lighting arrangement can comprise at least one light chamber with at least one light source, in particular an LED light source, for illuminating the back of the light source. The at least one light chamber can, in particular, be designed as a light mixing chamber for diffusely and uniformly illuminating the back of the light source.

[0018] The cover plate can be essentially transparent, with at least one light chamber configured to couple light into the cover plate through a side surface of the cover plate, so that the light can be coupled out via at least one light extraction element formed on the end face of the cover plate. By means of the at least one light extraction element, luminous structures visible from the outside, for example in the form of pictograms, can be generated in the cover plate.

[0019] The light-permeable cover can be essentially translucent, so that the floor of the at least one storage area can appear to glow uniformly when illuminated, particularly from the rear and / or side. This uniform glow of the floor of the at least one storage area can be perceived as particularly pleasant by vehicle occupants.

[0020] The at least one light source can be configured to generate radially directed light for feeding into the at least one light chamber, wherein the at least one light chamber can include at least one light outlet with at least one deflecting mirror for deflecting the light fed into the at least one light chamber towards the luminaire. In particular, the at least one light source can have a predefined emission characteristic with a main emission direction radially oriented with respect to the axis of symmetry of the luminaire. In particular, the at least one light chamber can have at least one light inlet so that the light generated by the at least one light source can be fed into the at least one light chamber.

[0021] In particular, at least one light chamber can be designed to selectively illuminate the light source, especially one or more areas of the light source. Due to this selective illumination, the brightness of the lighting structure can be significantly increased locally, thus enhancing its visual visibility. Specifically, this allows a predetermined target brightness of the lighting structure to be achieved with less electrical power or fewer LEDs. The radial arrangement of the light sources and the planar design of the light chamber enable a particularly flat and compact lighting arrangement with a shallow installation depth.

[0022] The at least one deflecting mirror can be positioned in front of the at least one light outlet to direct the light towards that outlet. By deflecting the light towards the at least one light outlet or the luminaire using the deflecting mirror, the luminous efficacy of the lighting arrangement or the brightness of the luminous structure can be increased.

[0023] The deflecting mirror can be designed, at least in sections, as a free-form reflector for targeted illumination of the light source. In particular, the free-form reflector can have a shape adapted to the form or depth of the light unit and / or the form of the light source in order to capture the light generated by the at least one light source and direct it to the back of the light source. This can increase the luminous efficacy of the lighting arrangement, especially with greater installation depth or narrow light sources.

[0024] The deflecting mirror can be designed in the form of a slant, the slant comprising at least one mirror surface inclined at an angle of approximately 45° to the flat light source. Due to the 45° inclination of the mirror surface, the light is deflected directly to the light source upon reaching the slant, thereby increasing the luminous efficacy and brightness of the lighting structure in a particularly efficient and simple manner, especially with a flat design of the lighting arrangement.

[0025] In some embodiments, the at least one light chamber comprises an inwardly mirrored base and / or an inwardly mirrored lid opposite the mirrored base, thereby further increasing the light output and ensuring good light mixing. The mirrored base or lid of the light chamber, in particular together with the deflecting mirror, can form a large light booster chamber. In combination with the mirrored side walls, essentially completely mirrored chamber segments with an enhanced booster effect can be created.

[0026] The at least one light chamber can comprise a number of radial chamber segments, each with a light inlet at an inner end and a light outlet at an outer end. In particular, the chamber segments can be shaped essentially like pizza slices, so that during operation the light can propagate essentially radially from the light inlet at the inner end to the light outlet at the outer end. With such "pizza segments," circularly arranged or ring-shaped luminous structures can be generated at the "pizza edge" in a particularly efficient manner.

[0027] The chamber segments can essentially comprise radially oriented, inwardly mirrored side walls. Reflections, particularly multiple reflections, can occur at these inwardly mirrored side walls, allowing the light captured in the light chamber to be efficiently directed to the light source.

[0028] In some embodiments, the lighting arrangement comprises a number of light sources, with the light sources being assigned individually or in groups to the respective light inlets. In other words, the light sources, for example LED light sources, are arranged so that the light generated by different light sources or different groups of light sources can be fed into different chamber segments. With separately or group-controllable light sources, it is particularly possible to illuminate different areas of the luminaire independently of one another, thus increasing the design flexibility of the lighting arrangement.

[0029] The lighting arrangement can comprise at least one light source cluster with multiple light sources, wherein light sources assigned to different light inlets can be mounted on a common support plate. In particular, the light sources of the light cluster can each have a radially oriented main emission direction.

[0030] The radial alignment of the main beam direction of individual light sources allows the light to be fed into the planar light chamber in a particularly efficient manner. Furthermore, the light sources, mounted on a common support, can be easily installed as a single unit.

[0031] The interior assembly can be designed as a storage compartment accessible from above by vehicle occupants. In particular, the storage compartment can be designed such that the vehicle occupants can at least partially see the floor of the at least one storage area of ​​the interior assembly from above. The light emanating from the floor of the at least one storage area can serve as an orientation aid for the vehicle occupants and give the interior assembly an appealing appearance.

[0032] The interior assembly can be designed as a center console assembly, which may include at least one storage area for beverage containers. In addition to the functionality of the beverage holder, the interior assembly offers vehicle occupants an appealing design with a surprising depth effect, which is created each time a beverage container is placed in or removed from the storage area.

[0033] Based on a second aspect, a vehicle is proposed. The vehicle has at least one interior with at least one interior assembly as defined in the first aspect. Due to the depth effect of the at least one storage area of ​​the interior assembly, the vehicle offers the occupants a particularly appealing interior design and an enhanced driving experience.

[0034] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The same reference numerals are used in the figures for identical or equivalently functioning parts. Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows an interior assembly according to an exemplary embodiment in two different views. Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows the interior assembly according to Fig. 1 in further views, Fig. Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail view of the interior assembly according to Fig. 1 in perspective longitudinal section, Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the interior assembly according to Fig. 1 in a first state, and Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the interior assembly according to Fig. 1 a second state.

[0035] Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows an interior assembly according to an exemplary embodiment in two different views. In particular, it shows Fig. 1 a top view (top of the image) and a side view (bottom of the image) of the interior assembly 1.

[0036] Interior assembly 1 is designed as a center console assembly of a passenger vehicle and includes, in particular, two storage areas 2 with integrated lighting arrangements at the bottom. The storage areas 2 are designed as cup holders or cup holders. The integrated lighting arrangements each have a light source and a double mirror arrangement to create an infinity effect suggesting the cup holder's infinite depth.

[0037] Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows the interior assembly according to Fig. 1 in further views. In particular, shows Fig. 2 a top view in the upper right of the image, similar to in Fig. 1, as well as a longitudinal section (bottom right in the image). It also shows Fig. 2. A perspective longitudinal section (top left in the image) and a detail view of the perspective longitudinal section (bottom left in the image). In the views of the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 the arrangement of the storage areas 2 in the interior assembly 1 is particularly easy to see.

[0038] Fig. Figure 3 shows an enlarged detail view of the interior assembly according to Fig. 1 in perspective longitudinal section. In particular, it shows Fig. 3 shows in detail the support areas 2 with the lighting arrangements 2a integrated on the floor.

[0039] The lighting arrangements 2a integrated into the storage areas each comprise a housing 3 and a carrier board 4, the carrier board 4 being equipped with LEDs (light-emitting diodes) as light sources 5. The light sources 5 each have a radially outward-directed main emission direction.

[0040] The housing 3 is essentially axially symmetrical and has an essentially round cross-section.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the lighting arrangements 2a comprises a light chamber 5a with a number of radial chamber segments, each with a light inlet at an inner end and a light outlet at an outer end. A light source 5 is assigned to each light inlet of the chamber segments. The chamber segments of the light chamber 5a are designed such that the light generated by the light sources 5 can enter the light chamber 5a through the respective light inlet and exit the light chamber 5a through the respective light outlet.

[0042] The lighting arrangements 2a each further comprise a first mirror 6 or deflecting mirror for guiding or deflecting the light generated by the light sources 5 and a second mirror 7 for laterally capturing and forwarding the light fed into the light chamber 5a.

[0043] The light chamber 5a is followed by a light source 8 in the form of a diffuser ring and an inner housing 9 with a mirrored outer surface.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting arrangements 2a each comprise a transparent cover plate 10 with a partial mirror film or coating applied to the back, incorporating diffusers 11 or light extraction elements in the form of pictograms, and a non-transparent mirror 12.

[0045] The storage area further includes a base plate 13, which can serve as the base of the cup holders. In this embodiment, the light source 8 simultaneously serves as a support for a mirror 12 or a full mirror.

[0046] Depending on the design, the light chamber 5a can comprise a different number of chamber segments extending radially outwards, with a deflecting mirror or an inclined section of mirror 6 or mirror slope being provided at the outer end of each chamber segment. The light chamber segments can each have radially oriented side walls that reflect inwards or are mirrored.

[0047] The light chamber 5a or the chamber segments can have a mirrored bottom, which in the illustrated embodiment is formed by the flat section of the mirror 6.

[0048] Between the inner housing 9 and the outer mirror 7 is an annular gap. This gap can function as an annular light channel through which a portion of the light generated by the light sources 5 can be directed forward for later coupling into the transparent cover plate 10. The cover plate 10 has a semi-reflective film or partially transparent coating applied to its reverse side, which can function as a partially transparent mirror in the double-mirror arrangement.

[0049] The outer mirror 7 has an inwardly inclined end section for deflecting the light from the annular light channel for coupling into the transparent cover plate 10. By means of the inclined end section of the outer mirror 7, the efficiency of coupling the light into the transparent cover plate 10 can be increased, thereby increasing the luminous intensity of the diffuser 11.

[0050] During operation, some of the light incident on the semi-transparent mirror or on the mirror coating of the cover plate 10 can be reflected back and directed again by the opaque mirror 12 onto the semi-reflected mirror or onto the mirror coating of the cover plate 10. Some of this light can pass through the semi-transparent mirror and the cover plate 10 to the outside. In this way, images, particularly of second, third, and higher orders, can be created, which can be visually perceived from the outside or by vehicle occupants. Multiple reflections between the mirrors of the double-mirror arrangement create a multitude of repetitions of the light graphic or luminous structure with decreasing luminance within the inner housing channel. These images can appear spatially offset from one another, particularly according to the laws of geometric optics, resulting in an infinity or...This can lead to a volume effect.

[0051] In some embodiments, the inner walls of the housing 3 are at least partially, particularly in the area between the opaque mirror 12 and the semi-transparent mirror or cover plate 10, black or light-absorbing. This allows the scattered light or background light to be suppressed or reduced, in order to optically emphasize the images of the diffuser 6 more strongly.

[0052] Depending on the design, the lighting arrangement 2a can be configured differently. For example, the lighting arrangement 2a can be essentially similar to one of the lighting arrangements with an infinity effect described in the German patent applications with official file numbers 10 2024 200 824.9 and 10 2024 201 452.4. The entire content of these two German patent applications is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0053] Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the interior assembly according to Fig. 1 in a first state. In particular, it shows Fig. 4. The interior assembly 1 from the passenger's perspective. In the first state, the lighting assemblies 2a are switched off, symbolized by the open electrical switch (at the top of the image). When the lighting assemblies 2a are switched off, the light sources 5 are deactivated, so no light is produced inside the lighting assemblies 2a. The light penetrating from the outside through the transparent cover plate 10 is insufficient to brightly illuminate the interior or the light channel of the lighting assemblies 2a. Therefore, the floor of the storage area 2 appears as a dark surface with barely visually perceptible diffusers 11.

[0054] Fig. Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the interior assembly according to Fig.1. A second state. In the second state, the lighting arrangements 2a are switched on, which is symbolized by the closed electrical switch (at the top of the image). When the lighting arrangements 2a are switched on, the light sources 5 are activated. The light produced by the light sources 5 illuminates the back of the light body 8, so that the front of the light body 8 becomes visible as a luminous ring through the translucent cover plate 10.

[0055] Due to the multiple reflections between the non-transparent mirror 12 and the translucent cover 10 or its mirror coating, multiple images 14 of the luminous structure or the luminous ring are formed, resulting in the pronounced infinity effect.

[0056] The lighting arrangements described here are characterized by their particularly compact and cost-effective design and, in addition to the clearly visible lighting structures with pronounced volume and infinity effects, offer great design freedom. Furthermore, the radial arrangement of the light sources 3 allows for a particularly shallow installation depth of the lighting arrangement.

[0057] In contrast to lighting arrangements with axially aligned light sources, the mixing or homogenization of the light generated by the light sources 3 in the lighting arrangement described here occurs essentially in a radial direction. The difference between the outer radius and the inner radius of the light chamber corresponds approximately to the length of the light path of the axial light source arrangement in the prior art. Thus, the installation space behind the double-mirror arrangement can be reduced to a minimum, and the overall depth of the lighting arrangement can be shortened by approximately one radius length.

[0058] Thus, a sufficiently large distance to the diffuser is also ensured here, which, however, now extends not in an axial direction but flatly in a radial orientation. Due to the 90° rotation or the lateral mounting of the light sources, the main emission direction of the light sources is parallel to the diffuser surface; however, due to the circumferential mirror slope or the deflecting mirror inclined at 45°, a large portion of the light fed into the light chamber is deflected onto the diffuser ring 8.

[0059] Based on the concept described here, versatile interior assemblies with integrated lighting systems can be provided. Such lighting systems can be integrated, for example, for the illumination of surfaces, buttons, knobs, keys, and / or other functional elements of the interior assembly.

[0060] Due to the integration of the lighting system into a storage compartment, a surprising depth effect can be created at the bottom of the compartment, which can pleasantly surprise and delight customers. Furthermore, the lighting system integrated into the cupholder, with the aforementioned infinite depth effect, represents a unique selling point that makes the vehicle stand out from the competition as a particularly high-quality and user-oriented vehicle.

[0061] Although at least one exemplary embodiment has been shown in the preceding description, various changes and modifications can be made. The embodiments mentioned are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of this disclosure in any way. Rather, the preceding description provides the person skilled in the art with a plan for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, whereby numerous changes can be made to the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of protection of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Furthermore, according to the principles described herein, several modules or several products can also be combined to obtain additional functions. Reference symbol list 1 Interior assembly 2 Storage area 2a Lighting arrangement 3 cases 4 Carrier plate 5 light bulbs 6 mirrors 7 mirrors 8 light sources 9 inner housings 10 Cover plate 11 scattering bodies 12 Cover plate 13 Base plate 14 Light structure / Illustration of the light structure

Claims

[1] Interior assembly (1) for an interior of a vehicle, wherein the interior assembly (1) comprises at least one storage area (2) with a floor that is at least partially translucent and / or at least partially open and with a lighting arrangement (2a) integrated into the floor, and wherein the lighting arrangement (2a) comprises a planar luminaire (8) arranged behind the translucent floor and spaced apart from the translucent floor, having a rear side facing away from the translucent floor and a front side facing the translucent floor to produce a luminous structure (14) visible through the floor of the at least one storage area. [2] Interior assembly according to claim 1, wherein the floor of the at least one storage area is formed at least partially by a translucent cover plate of the lighting arrangement (2a). [3] Interior assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lighting arrangement (2a) comprises at least one double mirror arrangement (10, 12) for producing images of the luminous structure at different depth levels behind the translucent floor of the at least one storage area (2). [4] Interior assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting arrangement (2a) comprises at least one light chamber (5a) with at least one light source (5) for illuminating the rear of the light body (8). [5] Interior assembly according to claim 4 referring backward to claim 2, wherein the cover plate is substantially transparent, and wherein the at least one light chamber is configured to couple light into the cover plate through a side surface of the cover plate, so that the light can be coupled out via at least one light coupling element located at the end face of the cover plate. [6] Interior assembly according to claim 4 referring back to claim 2, wherein the light-transmitting cover is substantially translucent, so that it can appear to glow brightly when illuminated. [7] Interior assembly according to one of claims 4 and 5, wherein the at least one light chamber (5a) comprises an inwardly mirrored base and an inwardly mirrored lid opposite the mirrored base. [8] Interior assembly according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is designed as a storage compartment accessible from above for vehicle occupants. [9] Interior assembly according to claim 8, wherein the interior assembly (1) is designed as a center console assembly, and wherein the at least one storage area (2) is designed to accommodate beverage containers. [10] vehicle, wherein the vehicle has at least one interior with at least one interior assembly (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

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