Component for a vehicle and grille comprising a component of this type

Abstract

The invention relates to a component (1) for a vehicle (2), with a visible element (3) that has a decorative region (4). It is essential that the decorative region (4) is at least partially permeable to radar beams and light beams. The component (1) also comprises a carrier element (7) which is at least partially permeable to radar beams and light beams and has a heating element (8) that is at least partially permeable to radar beams and light beams for heating the decorative region (4), a light guide device (9) that is at least partially permeable to radar beams and light beams for illuminating the decorative region (4), and a radar camera (11) for observing traffic, which is designed to emit radar beams. The invention also relates to a grille (23) for a vehicle (2), which has at least one component (1) of this type.

Description

[0001] Component for a vehicle and radiator grille with such a component

[0002] The invention relates to a component for a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention relates in particular to a radiator grille for a vehicle with such a component.

[0003] A generic component for a vehicle is known from DE 102016 007 119 A1.

[0004] From WO 2021 / 018422 A1, a radome with a radio-transmitting substrate is known, which has a first surface and a second surface and a radio-transmitting coating on the first surface.

[0005] From US 5 709453 A a device for illuminating a vehicle using light-conducting plates containing a fluorescent substance is known.

[0006] From DE 102015 004204 A1 a radome with a front side and a back side and at least one coupling structure for coupling light into the radome as well as with a heating device is known.

[0007] A component for a vehicle is described, for example, in DE 102014 002 438 A1. It has a visible element with a decorative area that has a decorative design visible from the surroundings and can be transilluminated by radar beams from a radar camera. DE 10 2014 002 438 A1 also proposes a heating element by means of which the decorative area can be heated. This can prevent or eliminate any fogging that may occur on the decorative area, for example, icing or moisture condensation. The object of the invention is to provide an improved or at least a different embodiment for a component compared to the known component.

[0008] In particular, a radiator grille for a vehicle with such a component should be specified.

[0009] In the present invention, this object is achieved in particular by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the description.

[0010] The basic idea of ​​the invention is to additionally illuminate or backlight such a component.

[0011] For this purpose, a component for a vehicle, in particular a vehicle designed for semi-autonomous driving, is proposed, which component has a visible element with a decorative region. The decorative region is designed to be at least partially or completely permeable to radar beams and light beams. In addition, it has a visible side and a rear side facing away from the visible side. The decorative region can expediently be provided with a decorative design visible from an environment or form such a design, for example, it can be a three-dimensional design, a pattern, or similar aesthetic art elements. The component according to the invention further has a carrier element designed to be at least partially or completely permeable to radar beams and light beams.The carrier element, in turn, is arranged on the said rear side of the decorative area and has a heating element designed to be at least partially or completely transparent to radar beams and light beams, for example, opposite the decorative area, which is configured to heat the decorative area. It is essential that the component according to the invention is equipped with a light-guiding device designed to be at least partially or completely transparent to radar beams and light beams for illuminating or backlighting the decorative area and / or the visible element. The light-guiding device can, for example, be located opposite the heating element. Furthermore, it can be provided that light beams provided, for example, by a light source of the component or the vehicle can be coupled laterally into the component or the light-guiding device using the light-guiding device.Furthermore, it is provided that the light-guiding device is arranged on a rear side of the support element facing away from the decorative area and is configured to emit light beams toward the decorative area. Furthermore, it is essential that the component according to the invention is equipped with a radar camera for traffic monitoring and, in particular, for distance measurement, which is arranged on a rear side of the light-guiding device facing away from the support element and is configured to emit radar beams toward the decorative area.

[0012] This specifies a component that can be transilluminated by light and radar beams. The property of being transilluminated by radar beams is used for traffic observation and, in particular, for distance measurement, while the additional property of also being transilluminated by light beams allows the component to be illuminated or backlit, providing a visually pleasing effect for the user. The heating element heats the decorative area of ​​the visible element so that any condensation, such as icing or moisture, that may form on the visible side of the decorative area during vehicle operation can be prevented or eliminated. This has the advantage that light and radar beams can pass through the decorative area unhindered, even in adverse weather conditions, ensuring reliable operation of the component according to the invention.

[0013] The invention expediently understands "light rays" to mean electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength range visible to the human eye. Furthermore, the invention expediently understands "radar rays" to mean electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength range in the radio frequency range.

[0014] It is expedient for the light-guiding device and / or the support element to form a cover for the radar camera. It is expedient for the back of the light-guiding device and / or the back of the support element to at least partially or completely cover the aperture of a radar camera aperture oriented toward the decorative area. This allows the radar camera to be protected from harmful environmental influences such as moisture or sunlight.

[0015] According to the invention, the light-guiding device has a central light guide element which is designed to be permeable to radar beams and light beams and via which light beams can expediently be coupled in laterally, and a light guide element for guiding light beams from a light source to the central light guide element. The central light guide element can be designed to be off-tool. This means that it can be designed such that it is manufactured in a single manufacturing step without the need for any further processing or assembly step. The central light guide element can in particular be manufactured as an injection-molded element in an injection-molding process. The central light guide element can be arranged on the component in an injection-molding process during manufacture of the component. This means in particular that the central light guide element can be injection-molded onto the carrier element and / or the radar camera.

[0016] Furthermore, it can be provided in particular that the central light guide element is supported on the said aperture of the radar camera on the one hand and / or on the support element on the other hand and covers the aperture opening.

[0017] According to the invention, the optical fiber element is designed in a ring shape, optionally supported on a light coupling surface of the central optical fiber element for coupling light beams into the central optical fiber element. It can be provided that the light coupling surface of the central optical fiber element and / or the ring-shaped optical fiber element extends outside a beam path formed by the radar beams and / or light beams and encloses the same. The ring-shaped optical fiber element can, in particular, be designed in a circular or elliptical shape. It is also conceivable for it to have the shape of a triangular, square, or polygonal ring element.The annular light guide element is expediently equipped with a backlight coupling surface arranged on the light coupling surface of the central light guide element, so that light rays coupled into the light guide element can be effectively transferred from the light guide element to the central light guide element. The light coupling surface of the central light guide element is expediently designed to match the light guide element or the backlight coupling surface. The light coupling surface of the central light guide element can be polished and / or designed on the tool to improve the coupling of light rays using the light guide element. The same can, of course, also be provided for the backlight coupling surface.

[0018] It is expedient if the component or a vehicle equipped with the component has at least one light source for providing light beams at the component. For example, the light source can be used to couple light beams into the light-guiding device, preferably into the light-guiding element of the light-guiding device.

[0019] According to a first embodiment of the invention, the radar camera has a diaphragm with an aperture facing the decorative area, the radar camera being configured to emit radar beams through the aperture to the decorative area. Furthermore, the annular light guide element has an inner diameter that is equal to or greater than an aperture diameter of the aperture. This ensures that the annular light guide element, when mounted, does not cover the aperture and that radar beams can pass unhindered by the light guide element from the radar camera through the aperture and the central light guide element to the decorative area. The annular light guide element and the, for example, circular aperture are expediently arranged coaxially / concentrically to one another.

[0020] The speed camera can be a conventional traffic monitoring radar camera.

[0021] According to a second embodiment of the invention, the light coupling surface of the central light guide element tapers in a funnel shape toward the decorative area or the radar camera. The light guide element rests on a light coupling surface of the central light guide element for coupling light rays into the central light guide element. As a result, the light coupling surface of the central light guide element is funnel-shaped, with an imaginary tip of the funnel pointing either toward the decorative area or toward the radar camera. This allows for a relatively simple and space-saving solution for coupling light rays into the light guide device or the central light guide element. In particular, this enables space-saving lateral coupling of light rays into the central light guide element or the light guide device.

[0022] Furthermore, it is expediently provided that the light-guiding device or a light-guiding element of the light-guiding device and a central light-guiding element of the light-guiding device form a prefabricated structural unit. This structural unit can be used as an intermediate product in the manufacture of the component or of a radiator grille with such a component as an insert and can be fixed to the carrier element, in particular in an injection molding process. Using a corresponding intermediate product, the manufacture of a specific component can be simplified, in particular accelerated. Furthermore, it is possible for the intermediate product to be prefabricated and kept in stock so that it can be used later in the manufacture of the component.

[0023] It is expedient for the heating element to be a heating foil, preferably an electrically operated heating foil. Alternatively or additionally, the heating element can be arranged on the rear side of the decorative area. A corresponding, translucent heating element can be provided inexpensively and in large quantities, so that the component in question can be manufactured cost-effectively overall. The arrangement of the heating element on the rear side of the decorative area has the advantage that the heat provided by the heating element can be made available without any significant time delay and directly at the decorative area to prevent or eliminate fogging. In principle, it is of course also conceivable for the heating element to be centrally and completely embedded in the carrier element or to be arranged on the rear side of the carrier element.

[0024] Furthermore, it is expediently provided that the carrier element is made of a plastic material or comprises the same. The plastic material used can, in particular, be polycarbonate (PC for short). This provides a cost-effectively producible embodiment for the carrier element.

[0025] It is further expediently provided that the visible element and / or the decorative area has or forms a flat layer arrangement which has a flat outer layer comprising or forming the visible side and made of, for example, a polyurethane coating (PU for short), a flat lacquer layer arranged on the same, and a flat chrome layer arranged on the lacquer layer, which has or forms the back of the decorative area. The lacquer layer can in principle have any color. However, the color of an outer skin of the vehicle is preferred. The chrome layer can be designed as a chrome foil. This overall specifies a preferred structure for the visible element and / or the decorative area.

[0026] According to a further idea of ​​the invention, a radiator grille for a vehicle, in particular a vehicle designed for semi-autonomous driving, is expediently provided, which is equipped with at least one component designed according to the preceding description.

[0027] In summary, the present invention expediently relates to a component for a vehicle, comprising a visible element having a decorative region. It is essential that the decorative region is designed to be at least partially transparent to radar beams and light beams. The component further comprises a carrier element designed to be at least partially transparent to radar beams and light beams, with a heating element designed to be at least partially transparent to radar beams and light beams for heating the decorative region, a light-guiding device designed to be at least partially transparent to radar beams and light beams for illuminating the decorative region, and a radar camera for traffic observation, which is designed to emit radar beams. The invention also relates to a radiator grille for a vehicle, which has at least one such component.

[0028] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0029] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0030] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0031] Showing schematically:

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a highly simplified perspective view of a vehicle with a radiator grille according to the invention,

[0033] Fig. 2 is a highly simplified sectional view through a component according to the invention which can be installed in the radiator grille according to Fig. 1, and

[0034] Fig. 3 shows, in a likewise highly simplified sectional view, a structural unit which can be used as an insert in the manufacture of the component according to the invention.

[0035] As mentioned, Fig. 1 shows, in a highly simplified perspective view, an exemplary vehicle, designated overall by the reference numeral 2, with a radiator grille 23 which has at least one component 1 according to the invention or is formed by the same.

[0036] Fig. 2 shows, in a highly simplified sectional view, a component 1 according to the invention which can be attached, for example, to a vehicle chassis (not illustrated) of the vehicle 2 using a frame 27. It has a visible element, designated overall by 3, which has a decorative region 4 which is designed to be at least partially transparent to radar beams and light beams and is indicated in Fig. 2 by dashed vertical lines, and which has a visible side 5 facing an environment 24 and a rear side 6 facing away from the visible side 5. The decorative region 4 can be provided with a decorative design 28 visible from the environment 24 or can form such a design. Fig. 2 also shows that the visible element 2 and / or the decorative region 4 has a flat layer arrangement 19 or is formed by such a layer arrangement.The layer arrangement 19 has a flat outer layer 20 comprising or forming the visible side 5, for example, a polyurethane coating (PU), a flat lacquer layer 21 arranged on the outer layer, and a flat chrome layer 22 arranged on the lacquer layer 21. The latter can comprise or form the back side 6 of the decorative area 4. Furthermore, the chrome layer 22 has open areas with further decorative designs 25. The chrome layer 22 can be realized by a chrome foil.

[0037] It is essential that the component 1 has a carrier element 7 designed to be at least partially permeable to radar beams and light beams, which is arranged on the rear side 6 of the decorative area 4 and has a heating element 8 designed to be at least partially permeable to radar beams and light beams for heating the decorative area 4. The heating element 8 is implemented here by a heating foil and is arranged directly on the rear side 6 of the decorative area 4, wherein in this area a white print is or can be additionally applied to the rear of the chromium layer 22.

[0038] In Fig. 2 it can also be seen that the component 1 has a light-guiding device 9 designed to be at least partially transparent to radar beams and light beams for illuminating the decorative area 4, which light-guiding device is arranged, for example, opposite the heating element 8 on a rear side 10 of the support element 7 facing away from the decorative area 4 and is configured to emit light beams to the decorative area 4. Furthermore, it is provided that the component 1 has a radar camera 11 for traffic observation and in particular for distance measurement, which is arranged on a rear side 12 of the light-guiding device 9 facing away from the support element 7 via a sealing frame and camera holder 26 attached there and is configured to emit radar beams to the decorative area 4.The heating element 8 heats the decorative area 4 of the visible element 3, so that any condensation that may form on the visible side 5 of the decorative area 4 during operation of the vehicle 2 can be prevented or removed. The heating element 8 and the light-guiding device 9 are coordinated with the radar camera 11 in such a way that interference with the radar camera 11 is prevented. This has the advantage that light and radar beams can pass through the decorative area 4 unhindered even in adverse weather conditions, so that the component 1 according to the invention can be operated reliably.

[0039] Furthermore, the light-guiding device 9 and the support element 7 are designed to form a cover for the radar camera 11. This allows the radar camera 11 to be protected from harmful environmental influences such as moisture or sunlight. Fig. 2 also shows that the light-guiding device 9 has a central light-guide element 13 designed to be permeable to radar beams and light beams, as well as a light-guide element 14 for guiding light beams from a light source (not illustrated here) to the central light-guide element 13. The light-guide element 14 has an annular shape and enables light beams to be coupled laterally into the light-guiding device 9, which allows a relatively compact design of the component 1.2 also shows that the annular light guide element 14 is supported on a polished light coupling surface 15 of the central light guide element 13 for coupling light beams into the central light guide element 13. The polished light coupling surface 15 of the central light guide element 13 is funnel-shaped in this case, with an imaginary funnel tip pointing towards the radar camera 11. It should also be mentioned that the radar camera 11 has a diaphragm 16 with an aperture 17 facing the decorative area 4. A reflective foil with white printing can be provided on the diaphragm 16. The radar camera 11 is designed such that the radar beams it provides radiate through the aperture 17 to the decorative area 4.To prevent unwanted interference of the radar beams by the optical fiber device 9, the annular optical fiber element 14 and the aperture 17 are arranged coaxially or concentrically with each other, and the optical fiber element 14 has an inner diameter equal to or greater than the aperture diameter of the aperture 17. This ensures that the annular optical fiber element 14 does not obscure the aperture 17.

[0040] According to Fig. 3, a prefabricated assembly 18 is visible, which is formed by the light-guiding device 9 or by the light-guiding element 14 of the light-guiding device 9 and the central light-guiding element 13 of the light-guiding device 9. The assembly 18 represents an intermediate product that is prefabricated and can then be used as an insert during the manufacture of the component 1. For example, the prefabricated assembly 18 can be fixed to the carrier element 7 during the manufacture of the component 1, in particular using an injection molding process.

Claims

Mercedes-Benz Group AG Eschbach January 22, 2024 Patent claims 1. Component (1) for a vehicle (2), - with a visible element (3) having a decorative area (4) which has a visible side (5) and a rear side (6) facing away from the visible side (5), - wherein the decorative area (4) is designed to be at least partially permeable to radar beams and light beams, - wherein the component (1) has a carrier element (7) which is designed to be at least partially permeable to radar beams and light beams and which is arranged on the rear side (6) of the decorative area (4) and has a heating element (8) which is designed to be at least partially permeable to radar beams and light beams for heating the decorative area (4), - wherein the component (1) has a light-guiding device (9) designed to be at least partially transparent to radar beams and light beams for illuminating the decorative area (4), which light-guiding device is arranged on a carrier rear side (10) of the carrier element (7) facing away from the decorative area (4) and is designed to emit light beams to the decorative area (4), - wherein the component (1) has a radar camera (11) for traffic observation, which is arranged on a rear side (12) of the light-guiding device (9) facing away from the carrier element (7) and is designed to emit radar beams to the decorative area (4), characterized in that - the light-guiding device (9) has a central light-guide element (13) designed to be permeable to radar beams and light beams, and a light-guide element (14) for guiding light beams from a light source to the central light-guide element (13), - the light guide element (14) is ring-shaped, - the radar camera (11) has a diaphragm (16) with a diaphragm opening (17) facing the decorative area (4), through which the radar camera (11) emits radar beams to the decorative area (4), - the annular light guide element (14) has an inner diameter which is equal to or greater than an aperture diameter of the aperture (17), or - the light-guiding device (9) has a central light-guide element (13) designed to be permeable to radar beams and light beams, and a light-guide element (14) for guiding light beams from a light source to the central light-guide element (13), - the light guide element (14) is ring-shaped, - the light guide element (14) is supported on a light coupling surface (15) of the central light guide element (13) for coupling light rays into the central light guide element (13), - the light coupling surface (15) of the central light guide element (13) tapers in a funnel shape towards the decorative area (4) or the radar camera (11).

2. Component (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the light-guiding device (9) and / or the carrier element (7) form a cover for the radar camera (11).

3. Component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the light-guiding device (9) or a light-guiding element (14) of the light-guiding device (9) and a central light-guiding element (13) of the light-guiding device (9) form a prefabricated structural unit (18) which can be used as an insert part as an intermediate product in the manufacture of the component (1) and can be fixed to the carrier element (7), in particular in an injection-molding process.

4. Component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the heating element (8) is a heating foil and is preferably realized by an electrically operated heating foil, and / or - the heating element (8) is arranged on the back (6) of the decorative area (4).

5. Component (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the visible element (3) and / or the decorative area (4) has or forms a flat layer arrangement (19) which has a flat outer layer (20) having or forming the visible side (5), a flat lacquer layer (21) arranged on the same and a flat chrome layer (22) arranged on the lacquer layer (21), which has or forms the back (6) of the decorative area (4).

6. Radiator grille (23) for a vehicle (2), in particular a vehicle designed for semi-autonomous driving, with at least one component (1) designed according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5.

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