Lighting device for a passenger and / or goods transport vehicle or for an external or internal fairing component of a passenger and / or goods transport vehicle, external or internal fairing component, as well as passenger and / or goods transport vehicles with such a lighting device

Description

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lighting device for a means of transporting persons and / or goods, or for an external or internal cladding component of a means of transporting persons and / or goods. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to an external or internal cladding component and a means of transporting persons and / or goods, each with such a lighting device.

[0002] The means of transport for persons and / or goods is in particular a motor vehicle, but may also be a ship, an aircraft, a train, or the like. Where the disclosure is explained below in relation to vehicles, the explanations apply equally to other means of transport for persons and / or goods such as ships, aircraft, trains, or the like.

[0003] Especially in vehicles, lighting devices are increasingly becoming a defining design element, enabling brand-specific individualization compared to vehicles from other manufacturers. However, design freedom for lighting devices is currently quite limited, meaning they cannot be positioned arbitrarily on either external or internal trim components such as bumpers or door panels. A key reason for this is that these trim components often have complex surface curvatures that cannot be replicated with existing lighting devices, or only with considerable effort.

[0004] Furthermore, the increasing electrification of vehicles opens up new design possibilities, allowing for the use of lighting devices in previously unimaginable ways. Since electric motors, unlike combustion engines, no longer require air grilles, the lighting devices can, for example, be positioned in the radiator grille. However, air grilles may still be included, particularly for aesthetic reasons, but in this case, they will differ significantly from those used for combustion engines.

[0005] In order for the lighting devices to be used in such applications, they must be adaptable to complex surface geometries so that they can be seamlessly integrated into the surface of the relevant cladding component of the passenger and / or freight transport vehicle or into the surface of the passenger and / or freight transport vehicle itself, while requiring only minimal installation space. Known lighting devices, such as those disclosed in DE 10 2012 003 200 A1, EP 2 628 638 A2, and US 2015 / 0291085 A1, cannot meet these requirements, or not with reasonable effort. Further lighting devices are disclosed in DE 10 2011 102 532 A1, EP 1 981 680 A1, EP 3 144 182 A1, DE 41 09 532 A1, WO 2018 / 225029 A1, FR 3 075 126 A1, DE 10 2015 101 012 A1 and GB 2 566 258 A.

[0006] Typically, only a portion of the visible surface of lighting devices is intended to be illuminated. Therefore, these devices incorporate translucent sections through which light can escape. Lighting devices are primarily switched on at dusk and in darkness. However, particularly with large-area lighting devices, a problem arises: the translucent sections are clearly distinguishable from the surrounding areas when the light sources are switched off. If the translucent sections are large, functional components of the lighting device may become visible. This negatively impacts the visual appearance of the lighting devices, severely limiting their suitability for aesthetic purposes.

[0007] The object of one embodiment of the present disclosure is to propose a lighting device which makes it possible, using simple and cost-effective means, to use the lighting device even with external or internal cladding components that have a complex surface geometry, and to design the lighting device in such a way that it offers a uniform and appealing optical appearance even when the light sources are switched off.

[0008] Furthermore, one embodiment of the present disclosure aims to provide a method for manufacturing such a lighting device in a simple and cost-effective manner. In addition, one embodiment and one variant of the disclosure aim to provide an external or internal cladding component or a means of transporting persons and / or goods that can be equipped with such a lighting device.

[0009] This problem is solved by the features specified in claims 1, 11, 13 and 14. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a lighting device for a means of transporting persons and / or goods or for an external or internal cladding component of a means of transporting persons and / or goods, comprising a translucent support element with a surface, a coating applied to the surface, and at least one light source for providing light in the support element, wherein the coating has at least one substantially opaque section and a number of translucent sections, the translucent sections being designed such that, when the light source is switched off, they visually correspond to or nearly correspond to the opaque section of the coating, and the lighting device has directional means for directing the light provided by the light source to the support element and, in particular, to the translucent sections.

[0011] The proposed lighting device has a simple design, requiring essentially only the translucent support element to be adapted to the shape of the other external or internal cladding component. Therefore, the lighting device can also be used for cladding components with complex surface geometries, particularly those with curves. Furthermore, the proposed lighting device requires minimal installation space, thus increasing its range of applications. The guide elements ensure that at least the majority of the supplied light is directed into the support element and therefore used as effectively as possible.

[0012] Because the translucent sections visually correspond to, or nearly correspond to, the adjacent opaque sections when the light source is switched off, the lighting device in question has a uniform appearance on the viewing side. In particular, the translucent sections are virtually indistinguishable from the opaque sections of the coating when the light source is switched off. Therefore, an observer perceives a homogeneous surface when the light source is switched off, while when the light source is switched on, the light can exit the lighting device with sufficient brightness so that the lighting function of the device is not impaired.

[0013] According to the invention, a light-absorbing layer is applied to a second surface of the support element. If the light source is located behind the second surface (as seen from the first surface), the light-absorbing layer has a recess in the area of ​​the light source, allowing the light provided by the light source to be coupled into the support element. The light-absorbing layer can, for example, be black. This contributes to the fact that, when the light source is switched off, the transparent sections visually correspond to, or nearly correspond to, the adjacent opaque sections. Consequently, the lighting device in question has a uniform appearance on the visible side.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the translucent support element is made of glass or a translucent plastic. Both glass and opaque plastic are suitable materials for providing the lighting device, particularly for applying the coating and the second coating. If the lighting device is to be arranged in a cladding component with a complex surface geometry, it is advantageous to use a transparent and injection-moldable plastic such as PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) or PC (polycarbonate). The injection molding process allows the lighting device to be adapted to the existing surface geometry in a relatively simple and cost-effective manner.

[0015] In a further developed, unclaimed embodiment, the directional elements in the translucent support element have light extraction structures for extracting the light. This embodiment ensures that a sufficient amount of light can exit the lighting device through the translucent sections. The translucent support element is designed such that the light is directed specifically towards the translucent sections. The light extraction structures can act similarly to a mirror, deflecting the light accordingly. In this embodiment, the light source can also be arranged laterally to the translucent support element.

[0016] Another unclaimed embodiment specifies that the directional means comprise reflectors and / or a reflective layer applied to a second surface of the support element. The reflectors can be arranged on the side of the light source facing away from the support element. The second surface, on which the reflective layer is arranged, is opposite the first surface. Both the reflectors and the reflective layer direct the light provided by the light source towards the transparent sections. The light provided by the light source is thus used effectively.

[0017] In a further developed embodiment, the coating can be a paint finish or comprise or consist of a film. The use of films and paint finishes has proven particularly advantageous for providing the lighting device with the translucent sections. Especially when using films, it is possible to provide them with cutouts before application to the translucent support element; these cutouts then form the translucent sections once the film is applied to the support element. In this case, no additional steps are required to create the translucent sections.

[0018] In another embodiment, the coating can comprise a base coat onto which one or more protective layers are applied, which are transparent at least in the light-transmitting areas. Particularly when the lighting device is mounted on an external body panel, for example, on a bumper or tailgate of a motor vehicle, it is exposed to high external stresses, such as stone chips, UV radiation, or corrosive substances. The protective layers serve to protect the lighting device from such influences. These protective layers can be designed to provide a scratch-resistant Class A surface.

[0019] A further developed embodiment is characterized in that the protective layer is formed by a clear lacquer. Due to the fact that the clear lacquer is transparent, no additional measures need to be taken to also provide the transparent areas in the protective layer.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the coating comprises a first primer layer arranged between the translucent substrate and the basecoat. This first primer layer serves, on the one hand, to protect the substrate and, on the other hand, to improve the adhesion conditions for the basecoat.

[0021] Another embodiment is characterized by the fact that the coating comprises a second primer, which is arranged between the first primer and the basecoat. In this case, the selection of the first primer can be based primarily on the surface properties of the substrate, and the selection of the second primer on the properties of the basecoat. This results in particularly good adhesion conditions.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, the base coat, the first primer, and / or the second primer are designed to be at least partially translucent. Because at least one of the primers in this embodiment is translucent, no additional measures need to be taken to prevent light transmission. AwayCuts are also to be provided in the relevant primer. One embodiment of the disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a lighting device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: Providing a translucent support element with a surface, and applying a coating to the surface such that the coating has at least one opaque section and a number of translucent areas. Away cuts have the translucent ones Away cuts are made by ∘ masking or ∘ using an anti-stick coating, and applying a light-absorbing layer to a second surface of the support element, wherein the light-absorbing layer has a recess in the area of ​​the light source so that the light provided by the light source can be coupled into the support element.

[0023] The proposed lighting device can be produced with a relatively small number of process steps, making its manufacture quick and cost-effective. The proposal stipulates that the translucent sections are created by masking or using a non-stick coating. This method allows for simple and cost-effective production of the translucent section, particularly since the translucent sections are formed during the coating process itself. Subsequent removal or thinning is unnecessary, thus eliminating this additional step.

[0024] An alternative, unused design specifies that the translucent sections are created by removing or thinning the coating. Removing or thinning the coating in the initial translucent areas is a relatively simple and cost-effective step.

[0025] According to a further developed, unclaimed embodiment of the method, the coating in the translucent sections is removed or thinned by engraving, etching, or using a laser. Particularly when using a laser, the translucent section can be provided in a very simple and precise manner. It should be noted that the translucent section can also be provided with a laser even after the coating has been completely applied. If the coating has one or more transparent protective layers, the laser can be adjusted to penetrate these protective layers and be effective only where the translucent sections are to be located.

[0026] One embodiment of the disclosure relates to an external or internal cladding component for a means of transporting persons and / or goods, comprising at least one lighting device according to one of the previous embodiments.

[0027] One variant of the disclosure relates to a means of transporting persons and / or goods, comprising at least one external and / or internal cladding component according to the previously described design and / or at least one lighting device according to one of the previous embodiments.

[0028] The technical effects and advantages achievable with the proposed external or internal cladding component and the passenger and / or freight transport vehicle are comparable to those discussed for the present lighting device. In summary, it should be noted that the cladding component and the passenger and / or freight transport vehicle can be equipped with a lighting device that can be easily adapted to complex surface geometries and, moreover, provides a homogeneous surface when the light source is switched off, where the observer can hardly distinguish the translucent sections from the adjacent opaque sections.

[0029] Exemplary embodiments of the disclosure are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show Figure 1A shows a first, non-inventive embodiment of a lighting device based on a basic sectional view with the light source switched on; Figure 1B shows the in Figure 1A The illustrated embodiment of the lighting device is shown in a general top view, also with the light source switched on, Figure 1C. Figure 1BFigure 1 shows a lighting device with the light source switched off, Figure 2 shows a second, non-inventive embodiment of a lighting device, Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a proposed lighting device, Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a proposed lighting device, Figure 5 shows a fifth, non-inventive embodiment of a lighting device, each shown from a general top view and with the light source switched on, and Figure 6 shows a means of transporting persons and / or goods which has a number of proposed lighting devices.

[0030] In Figure 1AA first, non-inventive embodiment of a lighting device 10 1 is shown in a schematic sectional view. The lighting device 10 1 has a translucent support element 12 with a first surface 14 and a second surface 16, as well as two end faces 20. The translucent support element 12 can, for example, be made of glass or a translucent plastic.

[0031] A coating 18 is applied to the first surface 14, while the second surface 16 is untreated. Furthermore, the lighting device 10 1 includes a light source 22 that provides light rays LL which can be directed into the translucent support element 12.

[0032] According to the first embodiment of the lighting device 10 1, the coating 18 comprises an opaque basecoat 26 applied to the support element 12, in which a number of translucent sections 24 are arranged. Consequently, the basecoat 26 forms opaque sections 28 that are arranged adjacent to the translucent sections 24.

[0033] Furthermore, the coating 18 comprises a protective layer 30 applied to the base coat 26. In the first embodiment of the proposed lighting device 10 1, the protective layer 30 is formed by a clear coat 32, which is translucent. The translucent sections 24 therefore continue into the protective layer 30 without the need for any special measures.

[0034] The translucent sections 24 can be created by removing or thinning the opaque sections 28, in this case the base coat 26. Only the opaque layer is removed, and the supporting element 12 is not affected.

[0035] When using an intrinsic laser, the laser beams can pass through the transparent protective layer 30 and only take effect in the opaque layer. It may be sufficient to thin the opaque layer, for example the base coat 26, only to the extent that a sufficient amount of light can pass through it.

[0036] Alternatively, the translucent sections 24 can be produced by masking or using an anti-adherent coating 18. The base coat 26 can also be applied to the support element 12 in the form of a film 33. Particularly when using films 33, it is possible to provide them with cutouts before application to the translucent support element 12. These cutouts form the translucent sections 24 when the film 33 is applied to the translucent support element 12. Additional steps for producing the translucent Away Cuts 24 are not required in this case.

[0037] The path of the light beam through the lighting device is illustrated in Figure 1A using a light beam LL. Since the light source 22 is located behind the support element 12 as seen from the coating 18, the light beams LL are coupled into the support element 12 via the second surface 16. To ensure that a sufficient amount of light is coupled into the support element 12, directional elements 23 are provided, which can be designed, for example, as a reflector 41, mirror, or the like. These directional elements 23 are arranged on the side of the light source 22 facing away from the support element 12. The directional elements 23 direct the light towards the support element 12 and, in particular, towards the translucent sections 24.

[0038] Especially from the Figure 1BIn the figure, which shows a top view of the first surface 14 and the coating 18 applied thereto with the light source 22 switched on, it can be seen that the translucent sections 24 are linear. However, the translucent sections 24 can also have other shapes, for example, point-like.

[0039] In Figure 1C The lighting device 10 1 is shown with the light source 22 switched off. The coating 18 is designed such that the translucent sections 24 are hardly distinguishable from the adjacent opaque sections 28 of the coating 18 when the light source 22 is switched off. From the Figure 1CIt is apparent that the linear structure of the translucent sections 24 of the coating 18 is only discernible upon very close inspection. From a distance, however, the lighting device 10 1 exhibits a very homogeneous visual or optical appearance when the light source 22 is switched off. It is helpful in this regard that the translucent sections 24 have a relatively small area compared to the adjacent opaque sections 28 of the coating 18.

[0040] In Figure 2 is a second, non-inventive embodiment of the lighting device 10 2 analogous to the one in Figure 1AThe selected representation shows the following. The essential difference to the lighting device 10 1 according to the first embodiment is that the coating 18 has a first primer 34, which is arranged between the support element 12 and the base coat 26. The first primer 34 improves the adhesion conditions between the support element 12 and the base coat 26. In the second embodiment of the proposed lighting device 10 2, the first primer 34 is opaque, so that the translucent sections 24 also extend into the first primer 34.

[0041] Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the proposed lighting device 10 3 analogous to the one in Figure 1AThe lighting device 10 3 according to the third embodiment is largely identical to the lighting device 10 2 according to the second embodiment, except that the base coat 26 is at least partially translucent. Consequently, it is not necessary to also provide the translucent sections 24 in the base coat 26. Rather, it is sufficient to provide only the first primer 34 with the translucent sections 24. In addition, a light-absorbing layer 43 is applied to the second surface 16, which has a recess in the area of ​​the light source 22, so that the light provided by the light source can be coupled into the support element. The light-absorbing layer 43 can, for example, be designed as a black layer.This contributes to ensuring that the translucent sections 24 visually correspond or almost correspond to the adjacent opaque sections 28 when the light source 22 is switched off.

[0042] Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the proposed lighting device 10 4 analogous to the one in Figure 1AThe lighting device 10 4 according to the fourth embodiment is largely identical to the lighting device 10 2 according to the second embodiment, except that a second primer 36 is provided between the support element 12 and the first primer 34. In the fourth embodiment of the proposed lighting device 10 4, the second primer 36, unlike the first primer 34 and the base coat 26, is translucent, so that it is not necessary to also provide the translucent sections 24 in the second primer 36. The lighting device 10 4 according to the fourth embodiment also has the light-absorbing layer 43.

[0043] In Figure 5A fifth embodiment of the lighting device 10 5, not according to the invention, is shown analogously to the representation chosen in Figure 1A. As in the fourth embodiment, the lighting device 10 5 according to the fifth embodiment comprises the second primer 36 applied to the support element 12, the first primer 34 applied to the second primer 36, the basecoat 26 applied to the first primer 34, and the protective layer 30 applied to the basecoat 26. The protective layer 30 is in turn formed by a clearcoat 32. In the fifth embodiment, only the first primer 34 is opaque, so that only the first primer 34 is provided with the translucent sections 24.

[0044] Furthermore, in the fifth embodiment, the light source 22 is arranged laterally to the support element 12, so that the light rays LL are coupled into the support element 12 via the end faces 20. In the fifth embodiment of the lighting device 10 5, the guiding means 23 comprise light extraction structures 38, which are arranged in the area of ​​the second surface 16 of the translucent support element 12. In principle, however, the light extraction structures 38 can also be arranged at other locations within the support element 12 or within the coating 18. The light extraction structures 38 can, for example, be produced by screen printing. The light extraction structures 38 are arranged and designed such that they direct the light rays LL, which strike the light extraction structures 38, towards the translucent sections 24.This increases the proportion of light that is coupled from the light source 22 into the support element 12 and leaves the lighting device 10 5 through the translucent sections 24.

[0045] Furthermore, the guiding means 23 comprise a reflector layer 39 arranged on the second surface 16, which, in addition to the light extraction structures 38, directs the light towards the translucent sections 24. Moreover, the reflector layer 39 prevents the light coupled into the support element 12 by the light source 22 from exiting the support element 12 via the second surface 16 and thus being lost unused.

[0046] Regardless of the embodiments, PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) or the like are suitable as application methods for the coating 18.

[0047] In the event that the first primer 34 and / or the second primer 36 or another layer of the coating 18 is to be provided with the translucent section 24, it can be produced in the same way as described for the basecoat 26.

[0048] In Figure 6A person and / or goods transport vehicle 40 is shown in a general top view. It is designed as a motor vehicle 42 and has a total of five of the proposed lighting devices 10. Two of the lighting devices 10 are arranged in an external trim component 44e, which here is designed as a bumper. A third of the lighting devices 10 is arranged in the tailgate 46 of the motor vehicle 42. The outer surface of the lighting device 10 forms part of the surface of the external trim component 44e or the tailgate 46. The outer surface connects seamlessly or almost seamlessly to the surrounding surfaces of the motor vehicle 42. Two further of the proposed lighting devices 10 are each arranged on an internal trim component 44i, which serves as a door panel 48.

[0049] The following situation arises with electrically powered vehicles: Since electric motors, unlike combustion engines, no longer require air grilles, the lighting devices 10 can, for example, be arranged in the radiator grille. However, they may still be included, particularly for design reasons, but in this case they differ significantly from the air grilles used for combustion engines. Reference symbol list

[0050] 10 Lighting device 10 1 - 10 5 Lighting device 12 Support element 14 First surface 16 Second surface 18 Coating 20 End face 22 Light source 23 Directional element 24 Translucent section 26 Base coat 28 Opaque section 30 Protective layer 32 Clear coat 33 Foil 34 First primer 36 Second primer 38 Light extraction structures 39 Reflector layer 40 Means of transport 41 Reflector 42 Motor vehicle 43 Light-absorbing layer 44 Trim component 44e External trim component 44i Internal trim component 46 Tailgate 48 Door trim LL light rays

Claims

1. A lighting device (10) for a passenger and / or goods transport means (40) or for an external or internal cladding component (44) of a passenger and / or goods transport means (40), comprising - a translucent support element (12) with a first surface (14), - a coating (18) applied to the first surface (14), and - at least one light source (22) to provide light in the support element (12), wherein - the coating (18) has at least one substantially opaque section (28) and a number of translucent sections (24), wherein - the translucent sections (24) are designed such that, when the light source (22) is switched off, they visually correspond to or almost correspond to the opaque section (28) of the coating (18) and - wherein the lighting device (10) has directional means (23) for directing the light provided by the light source (22) to the support element (12) and in particular to the translucent sections (24), characterized in that a light-absorbing layer (43) is applied to a second surface (16) of the support element (12), wherein the light-absorbing layer (43) has a recess in the region of the light source (22) so that the light provided by the light source (22) can be coupled into the support element (12).

2. The lighting device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the translucent support element (12) is made of glass or of a translucent plastic.

3. The lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coating (18) is designed as a varnish or comprises or consists of a film (33).

4. The lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coating (18) comprises a base paint (26) onto which one or more protective layers (30) are applied, which are translucent at least in the translucent sections (24).

5. The lighting device (10) according to claim 4, characterized in that the protective layer (30) is formed by a clear paint (32).

6. Th lighting device (10) according to any one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the coating (18) comprises a first primer (34) which is arranged between the translucent support element (12) and the base paint (26).

7. The lighting device (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the coating (18) comprises a second primer (36) which is arranged between the first primer (34) and the base paint (26).

8. Th lighting device (10) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the base paint (26), the first primer (34) and / or the second primer (36) are designed to be at least partially translucent.

9. A method for manufacturing a lighting device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: - providing a translucent support element (12) with a first surface (14), and - applying a coating (18) to the first surface (14) such that the coating (18) has at least one opaque section (28) and a number of translucent sections (24), wherein the translucent sections (24) are produced by ∘ masking or ∘ using a non-stick coating, and - applying a light-absorbing layer (43) to a second surface (16) of the support element (12), wherein the light-absorbing layer (43) has a recess in the region of the light source (22) so that the light provided by the light source (22) can be coupled into the support element (12).

10. An external or internal cladding component (44) for a passenger and / or goods transport means (40), comprising at least one lighting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. A passenger and / or goods transport means (40) comprising at least one external and / or internal cladding component (44) according to claim 10 and / or at least one lighting device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.