Bumper and rear light for a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a rear light (1) for a vehicle (2), wherein the vehicle (2) has a bumper (3). The invention is characterized in that a partial surface (4) of the bumper (3) serves as a surface of the rear light (2), wherein a plurality of perforations (5) are provided in the partial surface (4) and are sealed off by a diffusing lens, so that light from a light source (6) which is arranged behind the bumper (3) can pass through the perforations (5), and the partial surface (4) can be seen at least partially as a painted surface when the light source (6) is in an inactive state. The invention also relates to a bumper (4) having a rear light (1).

Description

[0001] BUMPER AND TAIL LIGHT FOR A VEHICLE

[0002] The invention relates to a rear light for a vehicle. The invention also relates to a bumper with a rear light.

[0003] DE 102015 013622 A1 discloses a rear light that can be installed with a small gap. This is made possible by an elastic foam material arranged in the edge area of ​​the rear light.

[0004] Taillights mounted in this way, for example, are mounted in a lamp housing made of deep-drawn sheet metal. The bumper itself consists of a plastic component. A plastic component, usually manufactured by injection molding, cannot be shaped arbitrarily, as different molds are required. This limits the design options for the geometry of the bumper, as well as the geometry and arrangement of the taillights. Recycling plastic bumpers is also difficult, as elements such as air intakes are made of different types of plastic than the bumper itself.

[0005] In the recycling process, separating the different types of plastic is complicated or almost impossible. As a result, a contaminated plastic product can be produced after recycling.

[0006] Another disadvantage is that it requires installation in a lamp housing, which is made of a deep-drawn aluminum component. However, this quickly caused the aluminum material to reach its load-bearing limits.

[0007] DE 102018 007 088 A1 describes a headlight that incorporates multiple lighting functions. The individual functions are arranged in different surface areas. For example, the surface areas can be arranged around a manufacturer's logo, allowing the manufacturer's logo to be integrated into the headlight. However, even in such a design, the headlight must be mounted in a predetermined position, such as a rear spoiler or a radiator grille. Furthermore, the design options are disadvantageously limited by the fact that the headlights are visible at all times, even when switched off. This means that not all desired design options can be implemented.

[0008] For further prior art, reference can be made to DE 102012 003200 A1, DE 102021 133 399 A1, DE 102020 133 087 A1, US 2014 / 0 119 038 A1 and US 3 850 763 A.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a rear light that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, a rear light and a bumper are to be proposed that offer greater design freedom.

[0010] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a rear light having the features of claim 1, and in particular in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims. A bumper with such a rear light is also described.

[0011] At the core of the rear light according to the invention, a partial area of ​​the bumper serves as the surface of the rear light, wherein a plurality of perforations are provided in the partial area so that light from a light source arranged behind the bumper can penetrate through the perforations, and the partial area is at least partially perceptible as a painted surface when the light source is inactive, wherein the plurality of perforations is sealed by a diffuser and the diffuser serves as a light collector, thus achieving a 3D effect. This increases the design options because the light source is arranged behind the surface of the bumper. When the light source is inactive, it is therefore not visible. This distinguishes such an arrangement from a light source applied to a surface area of ​​the bumper, such as in particular a plurality of OLEDs, which are permanently visible even when inactive.The rear light is designed for a vehicle, which has a bumper. The perforations allow the light from the light source to shine through the bumper to the outer surface of the vehicle. In particular, this eliminates the need for a lamp housing, as the light source is located behind an outer surface of the vehicle, or rather, behind the bumper itself. Overall, this allows for a high degree of flexibility and customization in the design, allowing for variations within series production. In particular, there is no need to rely on the design of a series tool.

[0012] A bumper is not just a limited area on the underside of the rear of the vehicle. Of course, the taillight can also be configured in a body component located adjacent to the actual bumper at the rear of the vehicle, as described.

[0013] Most of the perforations are sealed by a lens. The lens can provide protection, particularly against moisture and dirt. The lens can be colorless or transparent, for example. When the light source is inactive, i.e., without illumination, the bumper's sheet metal appears in the corresponding vehicle color. Because the perforations are very fine, they are barely visible to the naked eye at first glance.

[0014] The diffuser is constructed from an acrylic glass plate and / or contains fiberglass material. This allows the diffuser to be designed as a light guide and create a luminous effect.

[0015] The lens acts as a light collector, creating a 3D effect. This allows the shape of the rear light to be created virtually, and motifs or similar objects can be projected onto it.

[0016] According to a very advantageous development of the idea, it can be provided that the partial surface is made of aluminum. The perforations are therefore formed in an aluminum material. In particular, an aluminum sheet can be used. This offers advantages compared to a plastic material, particularly relating to stability. The light source can be attached directly behind the aluminum sheet, making a lamp pot unnecessary. In particular, a deep-drawn area of ​​the aluminum sheet can be omitted, making the stability of the material possible. The bumper can be made of several parts, i.e., be composed of a plurality of aluminum sheets.

[0017] According to a very advantageous development of the concept, the bumper can be made of aluminum. This way, there is no noticeable difference between the partial section and the bumper itself. The bumper and the partial section can be perceived as a single component and therefore do not directly interfere with the design of the vehicle.

[0018] A further advantageous embodiment can provide for the partial surface or the bumper with the partial surface to be formed from at least one anodized aluminum sheet. The perforations can be introduced, for example, using a laser. Advantageously, the bumper can therefore be painted in the vehicle color, so that the light source, which is arranged behind the bumper, cannot be seen by a person outside the vehicle when the light source is inactive. This, in particular, achieves increased design freedom. Furthermore, the use of an aluminum sheet instead of a plastic material places fewer design restrictions on production.

[0019] The invention further relates to a bumper comprising a rear light according to the invention. The same features and advantages apply to the bumper as described for the rear light.

[0020] Further advantageous embodiments of the rear light according to the invention and of the bumper also emerge from the exemplary embodiment which is illustrated in more detail below with reference to the figures.

[0021] Showing:

[0022] Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a rear light from the prior art;

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of a rear light according to one embodiment; Fig. 3 shows a sectional view of a rear light according to another embodiment; Fig. 4 shows a sectional view of a rear light according to another embodiment; Fig. 5 shows possible embodiments of diffusers; and

[0024] Fig. 6 a vehicle with a rear light according to the invention or with a bumper according to the invention.

[0025] Fig. 1 shows a rear light T in a sectional view from the prior art. A lamp housing 11 is arranged in a plastic bumper 10. A light source 12 is arranged in the lamp housing 11, which, for example, has OLEDs applied visibly from the outside. A disadvantage is that a lamp housing 11 is required to mount the light source, which is made, in particular, of a deep-drawn aluminum sheet. Furthermore, the light source 12 is visible even when inactive, thus limiting design freedom.

[0026] The illustration in Fig. 2 shows a possible embodiment of the rear light 1. The light source 6 is arranged here behind the bumper 3, so that the rear light 1 cannot be seen from outside the vehicle when in an inactive state. A plurality of perforations 5 are provided in a partial area 4 of the bumper 3, so that the light rays from the light source 6 can essentially shine through the bumper 3. Advantageously, the light source 6 can be mounted directly on the bumper 3, thereby eliminating the need for a lamp housing. In particular, the partial area 4 or the entire bumper 3 can be formed from aluminum sheet. For example, the wall thickness of the aluminum sheet and the beads incorporated into it can also influence the crash behavior of the vehicle. Aluminum is preferably used because it is produced using an anodizing process.This ensures a wide range of colours as well as corrosion protection.

[0027] Another variant of the rear light 1 can be seen in Fig. 3. The same components are provided with the same reference numerals, so they need not be discussed in detail here. In contrast to Fig. 2, here a diffuser 7 is attached in the area of ​​the perforations 5. The diffuser 7 can be made of acrylic glass, for example, and thus serve as a light guide. Furthermore, the diffuser 7 can prevent moisture or dirt from reaching the light source 6 through the perforations 5. If the diffuser 7 is made of a transparent material, the partial surface 4 appears in the paintwork of the vehicle color.

[0028] Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of the rear light 1, with bulges arranged on the lens 7. This can enhance a 3D effect. For example, different geometric motifs can be applied to the lens 7. These are shown in the following Fig. 5.

[0029] According to Fig. 5, for example, different geometries, or even a manufacturer's logo, can be implemented on the lens 7 using the bulges. When the light source 6 is active, these bulges can create a 3D effect that can influence the appearance of the rear light 1.

[0030] Fig. 6 shows a vehicle 2 with a bumper 3 on which a rear light 1 is arranged. The rear light 1 is arranged on a partial surface 4, wherein the partial surface 4 can be designed as desired. For example, this can be designed as a type of bar that runs along the bumper 3. For example, the rear light 1 can be arranged as such a bar above the bumper 3, wherein the rear light can be integrated partly into the actual bumper and partly into the general rear area of ​​the vehicle 2. The aforementioned features also apply to such a rear light 1. The term bumper 3 is to be understood broadly and includes in particular all areas at the rear of the vehicle that form a body.

[0031] Of course, the described design variants of the rear light 1 in Figures 2 to 6 can also be combined with each other, creating a variety of possibilities. For example, the shape of the lens 7, the perforations 5, or even the section 4 can be designed differently. There are virtually no limits to the design possibilities.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A rear light (1) for a vehicle (2), the vehicle (2) having a bumper (3), a partial surface (4) of the bumper (3) serving as the surface of the rear light (2), a plurality of perforations (5) being provided in the partial surface (4) so ​​that light from a light source (6) arranged behind the bumper (3) can penetrate through the perforations (5), and the partial surface (4) is at least partially perceptible as a painted surface when the light source (6) is inactive, characterized in that the plurality of perforations (5) are sealed by a diffuser (7), the diffuser (7) being designed as an acrylic glass plate and / or containing fiberglass material, and the diffuser (7) serving as a light collector so that a 3D effect is achieved.

2. Rear light (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the partial surface (4) is made of aluminum.

3. Rear light (1) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the bumper (3) is made of aluminum.

4. Rear light (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the partial surface (4) or the bumper (3) with the partial surface (4) is formed from at least one anodized aluminum sheet.

5. Bumper (3) comprising a rear light (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4.

Images