Lighting equipment, use and vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting device (10) comprising at least one light guide (12), at least one light source, at least one reflector (14), and a light lens (16), wherein the at least one light guide (14) is concealed and the at least one reflector (16) is shaped and arranged along the light guide (12) such that it reflects the light emitted along the circumference of the light guide (12) towards a viewer. The invention further comprises the use of such a lighting device (10) and a vehicle (30) with at least one such lighting device (10).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a lighting device comprising at least one light guide, at least one light source, at least one reflector, and a lens, wherein the at least one light guide is concealed and the at least one reflector is shaped and arranged along the light guide such that it reflects the light emitted along the circumference of the light guide towards a viewer. The invention further comprises the use of such a lighting device and a vehicle with at least one such lighting device.

[0002] Lighting systems can be designed in a variety of ways. To illuminate large areas, a multitude of light sources are typically used, their light distributed and shaped with the aid of optics, reflectors, and the like until the desired lighting effect is achieved. However, such solutions require considerable installation space and are expensive. They are also limited by the available installation space and the geometries of their surroundings.

[0003] The goal is therefore to find a solution that can illuminate the largest possible area homogeneously while avoiding the aforementioned disadvantages. The solution should thus require minimal installation space and be as cost-effective as possible. This constitutes one of the objectives of the invention.

[0004] The object of the invention is achieved by a lighting device according to claim 1, a use of such a lighting device according to claim 7, and a vehicle with at least one such lighting device according to claim 9. Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the remaining features mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0005] A lighting device according to the invention is formed with at least one light guide, at least one light source, at least one reflector and a light lens, wherein • the light from at least one light source is coupled into at least one optical fiber, • where at least one optical fiber is concealed, • the at least one reflector is shaped and arranged along the at least one light guide in such a way that the light emerging from the circumference of the light guide is reflected in a designated direction, and • the light disk is arranged in such a way that the light reflected by the at least one reflector passes at least partially in the intended direction.

[0006] This lighting device therefore has at least one light guide, at least one light source and at least one reflector as well as a light lens, which are arranged and interact in the manner described in detail below.

[0007] The light from at least one light source is coupled into at least one optical fiber, which is concealed. Accordingly, the coupling of the light should also take place in an area that is not visible. The at least one light source and the coupling point can be located at a distance from the other components, and the at least one optical fiber can then be guided into the area to be illuminated.

[0008] The at least one light source can be an LED (light-emitting diode), but also a multiple LED or any other suitable light source whose light can be coupled into the at least one light guide by suitable measures.

[0009] The at least one light guide itself should be concealed so that an observer of the lighting device cannot see it from normal viewing positions. The arrangement can therefore be, for example, behind a shutter, a cover, or an opaque area of ​​the light lens that encloses the lighting device in the viewing direction.

[0010] Light emerges from the at least one optical fiber along its length. According to the invention, at least one reflector is shaped and arranged along the at least one optical fiber in such a way that the light emerging from the optical fiber is captured and reflected in a desired direction. An arrangement of the at least one reflector along the optical fiber means that its orientation in terms of length is essentially the same. Thus, if the at least one optical fiber is arranged horizontally, the at least one reflector is also horizontally oriented.

[0011] However, in order for the reflected light to be reflected in the intended direction, the reflector should be mostly unobstructed. The intended direction is determined by the lens through which the reflected light can exit. It therefore corresponds to the direction or directions in which a viewer is expected to be.

[0012] The at least one reflector can be positioned next to, below, and / or above the optical fiber, and at least partially behind it, depending on its shape, angle, and orientation, so that the light emerging from the circumference of the at least one optical fiber strikes it and is reflected in the intended direction. It can be curved or flat around its longitudinal axis. It can be inclined around an axis parallel to the at least one optical fiber or aligned along a spatial axis.

[0013] The lighting device includes a lens which, as already mentioned, forms the outer boundary of the lighting device in the direction of the viewer. This lens is at least partially transparent. It should be arranged so that the reflected light can pass through it at least partially, but preferably mostly, in the intended direction, i.e., preferably in the direction of the viewer. In the simplest case, it is therefore positioned in front of the at least one reflector.

[0014] For the observer, only the at least one reflector and the light it reflects are visible. The illuminated area corresponds to the length and height of the at least one reflector and can therefore be adjusted by its geometry. It is further influenced by the length of the at least one optical fiber, which in the simplest case corresponds to the length of the at least one reflector, and by the light-transmitting area of ​​the optical fiber.

[0015] This simple design creates a lighting system that can provide a large, homogeneously illuminated area with minimal installation space, low costs, and low energy consumption, as it can be illuminated with a single LED in the simplest case. The arrangement is angle-stable, meaning that even when viewed from different angles, the illuminated area is visible with the desired light characteristics, while the at least one light guide remains hidden. Furthermore, the light characteristics remain largely consistent across different viewing angles. When not in use, i.e., when no light is coupled into the at least one light guide, the at least one reflector reflects the ambient light, thus creating a lighting effect that can be used, for example, for design purposes.

[0016] The simplest implementation of the lighting device can consist of coupling the light from a light source, particularly an LED, into a light guide along which a reflector is arranged, and reflecting the emerging light outwards through the light filter. Multiple light sources can be provided, their light being coupled into a single light guide independently or in combination. Multiple light guides can be arranged section by section along a reflector to emit light with different properties. Multiple reflectors, or a single reflector with areas of different surface properties, can be arranged along a light guide to achieve various reflection effects. Any combination thereof is possible and within the scope of the invention.

[0017] In a first preferred embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, the light lens is at least partially colored, diffuse, and / or structured. The light lens can therefore be partially or completely colored. It can have differently colored areas. This allows the reflected light passing through it to be varied in color. The coloring can be achieved by coloring the material of the light lens, by coating it with a translucent colored layer, or by applying a colored film.

[0018] The light panel can be diffused, at least in some areas, to homogenize the transmitted light. For this purpose, the panel can be completely or partially frosted, coated with a film, or impregnated with additional materials. Structures can also be incorporated into the surface or interior of the panel, either in certain areas or across the entire surface, to influence and potentially shade the transmitted light. These variations can be combined to modify and influence the reflected light as desired, thereby creating specific lighting effects or design elements.

[0019] In another embodiment, the light disk is designed with micro-optics. The light disk thus has a plurality (at least two) of micro-optics, which are used, in particular, to influence the imaging of the transmitted light onto the surface it strikes. The micro-optics are suitable for influencing the orientation and / or characteristics of the transmitted light, i.e., the light reflected by the at least one reflector. The use of micro-optics also makes it possible to achieve special effects, such as a play of light perceived as glitter.

[0020] The lens can alternatively or additionally include at least one opaque element. This can be achieved through an opaque area or a cover. Such opaque areas can be used to conceal parts of the lighting device that should not be visible from the outside.

[0021] Opaque elements are also suitable for generating light patterns by forming designs on or around the light source. The light passing through then creates these patterns when it strikes a surface. Opaque elements can also be used to define and highlight contours.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the at least one light source is designed to provide light of different wavelengths. The light source should therefore be able to provide light of a variably predetermined color, which can be coupled into the at least one light guide. This can be achieved, for example, using a multi-chip LED, in which individual LEDs are arranged on a circuit board and interconnected in a matrix. This allows the appropriate color of light to be selected and provided depending on the intended lighting effect.

[0023] Like the light disc, the at least one reflector can also be colored, patterned, and / or structured, at least in part. Accordingly, the at least one reflector can have a colored surface, either entirely or partially. The surface onto which the light to be reflected strikes can also be patterned with materials that are non-reflective or less reflective. The surface can have structures that are embossed or imprinted onto it. These variations influence the incident light, altering its direction, intensity, and / or color. Lighting effects can also be generated in this way.

[0024] The lighting device according to the invention can be used as a design element. A design element is understood here as a stylistic element. The area of ​​application can be arbitrary. For example, the lighting device can be used as a design element of a vehicle, in particular as a light strip that creates a distinctive look.

[0025] When used as a design element, the lighting system can be used to create lighting scenarios. Lighting scenarios are defined as a predefined combination of light color, intensity, and duration, which may also include elements that vary over time. When used as a design element in a vehicle, lighting scenarios such as "Coming Home" or "Leaving Home"—scenarios for exiting or approaching the vehicle—can be created. The lighting system can achieve this on its own or in conjunction with other lighting systems.

[0026] According to the invention, a vehicle is also claimed which has at least one of the lighting devices according to the invention. These can be provided, in particular, as design elements.

[0027] Such a vehicle can be further developed in such a way that at least one lighting device is positioned in the vicinity of a vehicle logo. This lighting device can be positioned above, below, and / or to the side of the logo. In this way, the vehicle logo can be emphasized by directing the viewer's gaze towards it. Furthermore, the positioning of the lighting device creates a recognition value for the vehicle and / or its brand.

[0028] With the lighting device according to the invention, its use and the vehicle, solutions are provided to create a lighting device with minimal effort and installation space requirements, whose illumination is perceived as consistent from different viewing angles and in which a very homogeneous illumination can be achieved.

[0029] Unless otherwise stated in individual cases, the various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another.

[0030] The invention is explained below schematically in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b Schematic diagrams for the construction of an exemplary embodiment of the lighting device according to the invention, Fig. 2. the use of such a lighting device as a design element on a vehicle, as well as Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 exemplary variations in the design of the lighting system.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows in Fig. 1a a cut and in Fig. Figure 1b shows an exemplary embodiment of the lighting device 10 according to the invention. It comprises a light guide 12, a reflector 14, and a light diffuser 16. Light from a light source, for example, a multi-LED capable of emitting different colored light, is coupled into the light guide 12 at a different location (not shown). The light diffuser 16 has an opaque area 18 above and below the transparent area. The light guide 12 is arranged behind the upper opaque area 18 of the light diffuser 16, so that it is not visible from the outside, i.e., to an observer.

[0032] The light fed into the optical fiber 12 exits at least partially through its circumference and thus onto the reflector 14. The reflector is curved around a longitudinal axis so that the light is reflected towards the transparent area of ​​the light disk 16, where it can pass through. The shape and orientation of the reflector 14 and the transparent area of ​​the light disk 16 are therefore coordinated such that the highest possible proportion of the reflected light can be directed outwards in the intended direction. This creates a perceived illuminated area 17 with a height H, which is the lesser of the height of the reflector 14 and the height of the transparent area of ​​the light disk 16, and a length L, which is the lesser of the length of the transparent area of ​​the light disk 16 and the length of the reflector 14.

[0033] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a vehicle 30 featuring a lighting device 10 as a design element 34 in the form of a light strip on both sides of the vehicle logo 32. The area is shown slightly enlarged and highlighted. The lighting device 10 extends to the right and left of the vehicle logo 32, thus creating a distinctive feature and emphasizing the vehicle logo 32.

[0034] The Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows variations of the lighting fixture 10 in the form of design element 32. Thus, in Fig. 3. An opaque element 22 is arranged on both sides of the vehicle logo 32, so that a contrast is created for a viewer between the illuminated design element 34 and the vehicle logo 32, which may also be illuminated. Fig.4 The light disc 16 is formed on both sides of the vehicle logo 32 with a colored area 20, so that the viewer has the impression of multicolored lighting. Reference symbol list 10 Lighting equipment 12 fiber optic cables 14 Reflector 16 Light disc 17 perceived illuminated area 18 Cover or opaque area of ​​the lens 20 colored areas of the light disc 22 opaque element 30 vehicles 32 Vehicle logo 34 Design element (light strip) H perceived height of the illuminated area L perceived length of the illuminated area

Claims

[1] Lighting device (10) comprising at least one light guide (12), at least one light source, at least one reflector (14) and a light lens (16), wherein • the light from the at least one light source is coupled into the at least one optical fiber (12), • where at least one optical fiber (12) is concealed, • the at least one reflector (14) is shaped and arranged along the at least one light guide (12) such that the light emerging from the circumference of the light guide (12) is reflected in a desired direction, and • the light disk (16) is arranged such that the light reflected by the at least one reflector (14) passes at least partially in the intended direction. [2] Lighting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the light disk (16) is at least partially colored, diffuse, frosted and / or structured. [3] Lighting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the light disk (16) is formed with micro-optics. [4] Lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the light disk (16) has at least one opaque element (22). [5] Lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one light source is designed to provide light of different wavelengths. [6] Lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one reflector (14) is at least partially colored, patterned and / or structured. [7] Use of a lighting device (10) according to one of the preceding claims as a design element (34). [8] Use according to claim 7, characterized by, that the lighting device (10) is used to implement lighting scenarios. [9] Vehicle (30) with at least one lighting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [10] Vehicle (30) according to claim 9, characterized by , that at least one lighting device (10) is arranged in the vicinity of a vehicle logo (32).

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