Maintainable cover for LED strip arrays
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE202024104063
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-08-14
- Filing Date
- 2024-07-19
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-24
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-07-31
Smart Images
Figure 00000000_0000_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention generally relates to glass panel assemblies intended for use in roof assemblies of vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to such glass panel assemblies provided with at least one light coupling assembly. Such glass panel assemblies can be used, among other things, to pattern-illuminate the interior of a vehicle's passenger compartment. BACKGROUND
[0002] Existing glass panel assemblies require an additional glass layer on top of a base layer of glass, which, when viewed from above, is smaller than the base layer of glass. This is because light injection occurs from the sides of the glass and sufficient space should be provided for the positioning of light injection assemblies. Such existing glass panel assemblies may include laminated glass panels in which two or even three separate glass panels are stacked on top of each other. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved glass panel assembly of such a type.
[0004] Thus, according to a first aspect of the present invention, a glass panel assembly is provided which is intended for use in a roof assembly of a vehicle, comprising a laminated glass panel having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the laminated glass panel comprises a first glass panel and a second glass panel having a lower surface, wherein the first glass panel and the second glass panel are laminated together by means of a laminating layer, and wherein light extraction devices for coupling light into the interior of the vehicle are arranged between the laminating layer and the second glass panel, at least one light injection assembly is provided on the lower surface of the laminated glass panel in a lateral or transverse edge region, wherein the light injection assembly comprises a longitudinal printed circuit board strip having a plurality of LEDs, and at least one light injection element which is capable ofto couple light emitted by the LEDs into the second glass panel, wherein the circuit board strip has the LEDs extending adjacent to the at least one light coupling element, such that the light-emitting side of each of the LEDs is in close proximity to a coupling surface of the light coupling element, wherein a cover shields the light coupling assembly on the interior side of the vehicle, wherein the cover element is connected to the lower surface of the laminated glass panel, wherein the cover element is removable from the interior side of the vehicle, wherein the cover element is provided with positioning features to align the LEDs with the coupling surface of the light coupling element, wherein the circuit board strip is positioned with respect to the light coupling element and connected to the cover element only by the positioning features formed on an inner portion of the cover element,and further wherein the printed circuit board strip is detachably connected to the cover element by the positioning features. It is essential that the light pattern emitted from the laminated glass panel into the interior of the vehicle has a high degree of uniformity, thus providing a high level of quality to the vehicle occupants. For this reason, it is essential that the light sources, in this case the LEDs, are optimally positioned relative to the light coupling elements. The light coupling elements are bonded to the lower surface of the second panel of the laminated glass panel. The LEDs are mounted on a longitudinally extending printed circuit board strip, which in turn is attached to the inner portion of the cover element. And the cover element is attached to the lower surface of the laminated glass panel. In order to achieve the required optimal uniformity of the light pattern emitted into the interior,The cover element containing the printed circuit board strip and LEDs must be precisely positioned and connected to the lower surface of the laminated glass panel. However, for ease of maintenance of the printed circuit board strip and LEDs, the cover element and the printed circuit board strip must be easy to maintain. To ensure this, the printed circuit board strip with the LEDs is precisely positioned relative to the cover element, and the cover element is precisely positioned relative to the light coupling elements. Thus, in the event of maintenance of the printed circuit board strip, the cover element can be removed from the lower surface of the laminated glass panel, after which the printed circuit board strip can be removed from the inner section of the cover element and replaced with a new printed circuit board strip and LEDs.and then the cover element can be remounted on the lower surface of the laminated glass panel. The positioning features not only position the circuit board strip in three directions perpendicular to each other, but also fix or connect the circuit board strip in such an optimal position on / to the inner portion of the cover element. According to another aspect of the invention, the at least one light coupling element is attached to the lower surface and provided with the input surface, through which the light emitted by the LEDs enters the light coupling element, and an output surface, through which the light emitted by the LEDs exits the light coupling element, and wherein the output surface of the light coupling element is connected to the lower surface of the second panel by means of an optical adhesive.The light emitted by the LEDs is guided into the second glass panel via the light coupling element. Furthermore, the light coupling element can be made of glass or at least of an optical adhesive. The light coupling element couples the light emitted by the LEDs into the second panel via its body, which essentially acts as a prism. The light coupling element is attached to the second panel by means of an optical adhesive. This method of generating light in glass saves the cost and weight of an additional complete glass or plastic layer specifically for coupling out light.
[0005] According to another aspect of the invention, the cover element is positioned at least relative to the light-coupling elements by means of an edge of the cover element, which is fitted into a positioning recess in an encapsulation edge of the laminated glass panel, wherein the recess extends in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the circuit board strip. For the positioning of the LED(s) / circuit board strip relative to the light-coupling elements, the cover element must be precisely positioned on the lower surface of the laminated glass panel. In a laminated glass panel having a lateral and / or transverse edge region with an encapsulation material, it is conceivable to use a recess in the encapsulation material for positioning the cover element in a direction perpendicular to the lateral and / or transverse edge region of the laminated glass panel.
[0006] In another embodiment, the cover element is positioned relative to the light-injection elements by means of a positioning feature that cooperates with a matching positioning feature of the light-injection elements. To enable the cover element to be positioned in this embodiment, where the laminated glass panel is not provided with an encapsulating material at the lateral and / or transverse edges sufficient to form a recess that can be used as a positioning feature, a positioning feature is formed on the inner portion of the cover element that cooperates directly with the light-injection elements.The positioning feature on the inner portion of the cover element may be a columnar feature that fits into a matching hole in the light coupling element, thereby enabling precise positioning of the LEDs toward the light coupling feature in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board strip and in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending circuit board strip. According to another aspect of the invention, the cover element is connected, at an edge opposite the lateral or transverse edge region of the laminated glass panel, to the lower surface of the second panel by means of an adhesive sealing pad. A sealing pad may be used to adhere the cover element to the lower surface of the second glass panel. The sealing pad may extend only partially around the cover element, but it is also conceivable for the sealing pad to completely surround the sealing cushion.According to yet another aspect of the invention, the positioning features formed on the inner portion of the cover member are oriented substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the second panel. In this case, the cover member may be removable in a direction substantially perpendicular away from the lower surface. It is important that the cover member be removable in a direction away from the inner surface of the second panel. This means that the positioning features must be able to allow such movement. This is achieved by arranging the positioning features on the inner portion of the cover member in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the lower surface of the second panel.
[0007] According to another embodiment of the invention, the circuit board strip and the LEDs are covered by a protective element on the inside of the cover element. The protective element can be a solid plastic part suitable for preventing the circuit board strip from being directly contacted by maintenance personnel. Or the protective element can be a coating that covers at least the circuit board strip to prevent direct contact of the circuit board strip by maintenance personnel. If the lighting, in this case the LEDs on the circuit board strip, is not working, the circuit board strip must be replaced with a new one. A person maintaining the cover element must be able to work safely and replace the circuit board strip without injury. A protective element can be able to protect the circuit board strip from direct contact during disassembly of the cover element.Once the cover element is removed, the protective element must of course be carefully removed to replace the PCB strip. It's possible that the protective element is a solid plastic part or a coating on the PCB strip itself.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, a method for replacing a printed circuit board strip of a glass panel assembly as described above may comprise the following steps: - Removing the cover element in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the second panel - Removing the PCB strip from the inner section of the cover element - Attaching a new PCB strip to the inner portion of the cover element using the positioning features - Attaching the cover element to the lower side of the laminated glass panel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the lower surface of the second panel using the positioning features of the cover element.
[0009] Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings, which show embodiments of the roof panel assembly according to the invention. Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle roof incorporating the glass panel assembly of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the vehicle roof incorporating the glass panel assembly of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a portion of a lower surface of the glass panel, comprising the rectangular prisms and the printed circuit board strip with the LEDs and the cover element. Fig. 4 is a section through the laminated glass panel, the rectangular prisms, the printed circuit board strip with the LEDs and the cover element along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3 according to a second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3 according to a third embodiment. Fig. Figure 7 is a partial plan view of the printed circuit board strip and the light coupling element of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3 according to a third embodiment. Fig. 9 is a partial plan view of the printed circuit board strip and the light coupling element of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3 according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. 11 is a section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 3 according to a fifth embodiment.
[0010] In Fig. 1 shows an upper section of a vehicle 1 having a fixed roof part 2 to which a frame part 3 (only in Fig. 1) whose inner sides surround (or define) a roof opening 4. One section (e.g., the front section) of the roof opening 4 is covered by a movable panel 5, while the remaining section (e.g., the rear section) of the roof opening 4 is covered by a fixed panel 6.
[0011] In Fig. 2, the movable panel 5 and the fixed panel 6 are schematically illustrated in their respective positions relative to the fixed roof part 2. Of course, the movable panel 5 can be moved to another position (e.g., partially rearward over the fixed panel 6) to at least partially expose the corresponding part of the roof opening 4. Mechanisms for achieving such movement of the movable panel 5 are well known in the art and will therefore not be described further here. In an exemplary embodiment, both the movable panel 5 and the fixed panel 6 define laminated glass panels 25, which are part of the glass panel assemblies 7, 8 according to the invention and which will be described in detail. It should be noted, however, that in other embodiments, only one of the movable and fixed panels could define such a laminated glass panel 25. In Fig. 2, light coupling assemblies 7a-d and 8a-d, hereinafter referred to as 7, 8, are schematically shown in dashed lines. Such light coupling assemblies 7, 8 can be provided in any desired pattern (e.g., on all lateral and transverse edge regions 29, 30 of the panels 5, 6, as shown, or e.g., only on some of the edges, e.g., only on the lateral edge region 29 of the panels, i.e., only 7a, b and 8a, b, and similarly for both panels or differently for both panels). Although, as in Fig. 2, an arrangement of the light coupling assemblies 7, 8 near the edge regions 29, 30 of the panels 5, 6 is preferred, but other arrangements are also conceivable. Each of the light coupling assemblies 7, 8 can be covered by a cover element 22, which conceals the light coupling element 17, 17' and the printed circuit board strip 31 with the light source 16 (e.g., an LED) from the interior of the vehicle 1. Fig. 3, a laminated glass panel 25 is shown with a view of the lower surface 14. In this embodiment, a lateral edge region 29 is shown with the row of light coupling elements 17, in this embodiment, 5 rectangular prisms in a row. In another embodiment, the light coupling element 17' may comprise a triangular or wedge-shaped element 17' made of at least one optical adhesive 18. Adjacent to the light coupling element 17, 17' is a longitudinally extending printed circuit board strip 31, wherein the light-emitting side of the LEDs 16 faces the coupling surface 27 of the prisms 17 (in Fig. 3 not shown). In this embodiment, the coupling surfaces 27 of the prisms 17, 17' receive the light from the LEDs 16 arranged next to one another.
[0012] In Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows a sectional view illustrating the laminated glass panel 25 with a first and a second glass panel (9, 12) laminated together by a lamination layer 15. Light extraction devices 26 are arranged between the second glass panel 12 and the lamination layer 15. Light emitted by the LEDs 16 via the light coupling element 17, 17' into the second glass panel 12 is reflected by the light extraction devices 26 toward the interior of the vehicle 1.
[0013] In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the light coupling element 17' is an element comprising a triangular-shaped optical adhesive 18 and a plastic limiting strip. The plastic limiting strip, made of PMMA, for example, forms the coupling surface 27 of the light coupling element 17' in this embodiment. The light coupling element 17' is connected to the lower surface 14 of the second glass panel 12 by the optical adhesive 18. In Fig. 5, the light coupling element 17 is a rectangular prism made of glass, for example. The further description of the other Fig. 4 and Fig. The parts shown in Figure 5 are the same for both embodiments. The elongated circuit board strip 31 is arranged adjacent to the light coupling element 17', so that the LEDs 16 connected to one edge of the circuit board strip 31 can emit the light directly into the coupling surface 27. The circuit board strip 31 is precisely positioned and secured to the inner portion 42 of the cover element 22 by the positioning features 34, 34'. The positioning features 34 position the circuit board strip 31 and thus the LEDs 16 in a direction toward the light coupling elements 17, 17', and in a direction perpendicular thereto, a positioning feature 34' on a short end of the circuit board strip 31 positions the circuit board strip 31 in a longitudinal direction or a transverse direction, as appropriate.Furthermore, the circuit board strip 31 is positioned in a vertical direction relative to the light coupling element 17, 17' by the positioning features 34, 34'. The positioning features 34, 34' are provided with precisely placed pillars for the positioning function, and further, the pillars are provided with clip fingers that ensure that the circuit board strip 31 is removably attached to the inner portion 42 of the cover element 22. From the figures of . Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 it can be seen that the positioning features 34, 34' are all oriented substantially perpendicular to the lower surface 14 of the second panel 12. The cover element 22 in the Fig. 4 and Fig. Figure 5 shows that the light coupling elements 17, 17' are shielded such that occupants in the interior of the vehicle 1 cannot see any detailed parts of these light coupling elements 17, 17'. The cover element 22 carries, on its inner portion 42, the printed circuit board strip 31 with the LEDs 16, which must interact with the light coupling features 17, 17', and the light coupling features 17, 17' are attached to the lower surface 14 of the second panel 12. Therefore, it is inevitable that the cover element 22 must be precisely positioned relative to the laminated glass panel 25. This is achieved by the cover element 22 having an edge 24 that fits precisely into a recess 23 in the encapsulation material 21 arranged on the lateral or transverse edge 29, 30 of the laminated glass panel 25. The cover element 22 is accordingly positioned exactly in the direction of the coupling surface 27 of the light coupling element 17, 17'.The cover element 22 is secured at an opposite end to the lower surface 14 of the second panel 12 by means of an adhesive sealing pad 19. The positioning features 34, 34' may extend in a vertical direction toward the lower surface 14 of the second panel 12, ensuring precise positioning of the cover element 22 in a vertical direction.
[0014] In Fig. 6 shows another embodiment in which no encapsulating material 21 is present in the lateral or transverse edge region 29, 30 of the laminated glass panel to provide a recess 23 therein and thus position the cover element 22 towards the light coupling elements 17, 17'. Instead, a positioning feature 35 is formed in the inner portion 42 of the cover element 22, which, in the assembled state, cooperates with a positioning feature 35' in the light coupling element 17, 17'. Fig. 6 and Fig. The light coupling element 17' shown in Figure 7 is a triangular-shaped prism made of optical adhesive 18 and a PMMA strip 43. The PMMA strip 43 forms the coupling surface 27 of the coupling element 17'. The PMMA strip 43 has at least one recess or hole representing the positioning feature 35', into which the positioning feature 35 (which is a column or pin) fits precisely. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the positioning features 35, 35' is square or rectangular, but other shapes are also conceivable. Preferably, one of the square or rectangular walls is parallel to the coupling surface 27 of the coupling feature 17'. Thus, the printed circuit board strip 31 arranged in the inner section 42 of the cover element 22 and connected thereto is positioned precisely on the light coupling surface 27 of the light coupling element 17, 17' via the positioning features 35, 35'.
[0015] In Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 shows another embodiment. As with the embodiment of Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 is used in the embodiments of the Fig. 8, Fig. 9, no encapsulation material 21 is used, and the cover element 22, which holds the positioned circuit board strip 31, is positioned relative to the coupling surface 27 of the light coupling element 17 by means of at least two positioning features 35, which are each arranged opposite one another exactly at the two opposite longitudinal edges of the light coupling element 17. In this embodiment, the positioning elements 35 can have a square or rectangular cross-section, with at least one wall of the positioning element running parallel to the edge of the light coupling element 17.
[0016] Fig. Fig. 10 shows yet another embodiment in which the printed circuit board strip 31 is covered with a protective element 40, which in this embodiment is an insulating coating 41, which ensures that when a person works to replace a defective printed circuit board strip 31, no dangerous situation arises for the person in which, for example, an unexpected electrical discharge could occur.
[0017] Fig. Fig. 11 shows another embodiment in which a protective element 40 is shown, which in this embodiment is a solid plastic part, which covers the circuit board strip 31 at the inner portion 42 of the cover element 22 so that the circuit board strip 31 cannot be accidentally touched by a person working on replacing the circuit board strip 31.
[0018] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described, which can be widely varied within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims.
Claims
[1] A glass panel assembly intended for use in a roof assembly of a vehicle (1), comprising a laminated glass panel (25) having an upper surface (38) and a lower surface (39), wherein the laminated glass panel (25) comprises a first glass panel (9) and a second glass panel (12) having a lower surface (14), wherein the first glass panel (9) and the second glass panel (12) are laminated together by means of a laminating layer (15), and wherein light extraction devices (26) for coupling light into the interior of the vehicle (1) are arranged between the laminating layer (15) and the second glass panel (12), wherein at least one light coupling assembly (7, 8) is provided on the lower surface (39) of the laminated glass panel (25) in a lateral or transverse edge region (29, 30), wherein the light coupling assembly (7, 8) comprises an elongated printed circuit board strip (31) having a plurality of LEDs (16),and at least one light coupling element (17, 17') capable of coupling light emitted by the LEDs (16) into the second glass panel (12), wherein the circuit board strip (31) having the LEDs (16) extends adjacent to the at least one light coupling element (17, 17') such that the light-emitting side of each of the LEDs (16) is in close proximity to a coupling surface (27) of the light coupling element (17, 17'), wherein a cover (22) shields the light coupling assembly (7, 8) on the interior side of the vehicle (1), wherein the cover element (22) is connected to the lower surface (39) of the laminated glass panel (25) and is removable from the interior side of the vehicle (1), and wherein the cover element (22) is provided with positioning features (34, 34', 35, 35') to align the LEDs (16) to the coupling surface (27) of the light coupling element (17, 17'), , characterized bythat the printed circuit board strip (31) is positioned with respect to the light coupling element (17, 17') only by the positioning features (34, 34') formed on an inner portion (42) of the cover element (22) and is connected to the cover element (22). [2] Glass panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least one light coupling element (17, 17') is attached to the lower surface (14) and is provided with the coupling surface (27) through which the light emitted by the LEDs 16 enters the light coupling element (17, 17'), and an output surface (28) through which the light emitted by the LEDs 16 exits the light coupling element (17, 17'), and wherein the output surface (28) of the light coupling element (17, 17') is connected to the lower surface (14) of the second panel (12) by means of an optical adhesive (18) so that the light emitted by the LEDs (16) is guided into the second glass panel (12) via the light coupling element (17, 17'). [3] The glass panel assembly according to claim 2, wherein the light coupling element (17) is made of glass or the light coupling element (17') is made of at least one optical adhesive (18). [4] Glass panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover element (22) is positioned at least relative to the light coupling elements (17, 17') by means of an edge (24) of the cover element (22) which is fitted in a positioning recess (23) in an encapsulation edge (21) of the laminated glass panel (25), the recess (23) extending in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent of the printed circuit board strip (31). [5] Glass panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover element (22) is positioned relative to the light coupling elements (17, 17') by means of a positioning feature (35) which cooperates with a matching positioning feature (35') of the light coupling elements (17, 17'). [6] Glass panel assembly according to claim 5 or claim 4, wherein the cover element (22) is connected to the lower surface (14) of the second panel (12) by means of an adhesive sealing pad (19) at an edge opposite the lateral or transverse edge region (29, 30) of the composite panel (25). [7] Glass panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board strip (31) is releasably connected to the cover element (22) by means of the positioning features (34, 34'). [8] The glass panel assembly of claim 1, wherein the positioning features (34, 34', 35, 35') formed on the inner portion (42) of the cover member (22) are oriented substantially perpendicular to the lower surface (14) of the second panel (12). [9] Glass panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the circuit board strip (31) and the LEDs (16) are covered by a protective member (40) on the inside of the cover member (22). [10] Glass panel assembly according to claim 9, wherein the protective element (40) is a solid plastic part suitable for avoiding direct contact of the printed circuit board strip (31) by maintenance personnel. [11] The glass panel assembly according to claim 9, wherein the protective member (40) is a coating covering at least the printed circuit board strip (31) to prevent direct contact of the printed circuit board strip (31) by maintenance personnel. [12] Glass panel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover member (22) is removable in a direction substantially perpendicular away from the lower surface (14).