Lighting device

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle having a front side opening, and comprising a passenger compartment with a dashboard and interior trim mounted on the front side opening, the passenger compartment further comprising a first lighting device (1) integral with said interior trim with a first series (3) of light-emitting diodes aligned in a first row (5) and a second lighting device (7) integral with the dashboard with a second series (9) of light-emitting diodes aligned in a second row (11), said second lighting device (7) showing at least one side face (13) opposite said interior trim, said motor vehicle is notable in that the second lighting device (7) comprises at least one light-emitting diode (15) arranged between said side face (13) and the first row (5). Figure to be published with the abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Lighting device

[0001] The invention relates to the interior lighting of a motor vehicle.

[0002] In order to ensure adequate brightness in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, thereby providing the driver and other passengers with a feeling of comfort and relaxation, interior lighting systems that perform useful lighting functions and / or ambient lighting functions may be installed within the passenger compartment. In particular, ambient lighting systems that diffuse low-intensity light may be installed on various surfaces of the trim within the passenger compartment, for example, on the interior door panels and / or the dashboard.

[0003] For example, document FR 3 086 732 describes an optical system for the interior lighting of a motor vehicle. The optical system comprises a screen and a plurality of light sources arranged in series. A light box, defining an internal volume filled with air and delimited by walls with reflective properties, is interposed between the plurality of light sources and the screen. The light sources project a beam of light onto the screen by passing through the light box. Thus, the light beam is reflected within the light box and does not undergo refraction, which ensures good homogenization of the light beam. This system can be located on a door panel and / or the dashboard of a motor vehicle.

[0004] However, with this type of optical system, there is no visual continuity of light at the front of the passenger compartment. This is prevented by the interior configuration of the passenger compartment between the interior trim arranged along the front side doors and the dashboard, which prevents the installation of a continuous printed circuit board comprising a set of light-emitting diodes, as it is necessary to provide for the opening and closing of the front side doors. Thus, the alcove visible from the front edge of the interior trim is not illuminated, resulting in uneven interior lighting in a motor vehicle.

[0005] The invention aims to address at least one of the problems or drawbacks encountered in the prior art. In particular, the invention aims to provide a motor vehicle in which the front contours of the passenger compartment exhibit uniform lighting when the front side doors are in the closed position.

[0006] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a motor vehicle having a front side opening, and comprising a passenger compartment with a dashboard and interior trim mounted on the front side opening, the passenger compartment including further a first lighting device attached to said interior trim with a first series of light-emitting diodes aligned in a first line and a second lighting device attached to the dashboard with a second series of light-emitting diodes aligned in a second line, said second lighting device showing at least one side face opposite said interior trim, said motor vehicle is notable in that the second lighting device includes at least one light-emitting diode arranged between said side face and the first line.

[0007] For example, the interior trim has an alcove at its front end and at least one side face of said second lighting device is opposite said alcove.

[0008] As will be understood from the definition just given, the invention relates to a motor vehicle in which at least one light-emitting diode is located at the end of the lighting device attached to the dashboard, that is to say, at the end of the second lighting device. The light-emitting diode(s) located in this position are thus brought closer to the interior trim, more particularly to the alcove formed by the front end of the interior trim, and thus make it possible, when the front side doors are in the closed position, to reduce, or even eliminate, the shadow area at the level of the alcove, thereby improving the uniformity of the interior lighting of a motor vehicle.

[0009] Advantageously, the second lighting device further comprises a lens on said lateral face. Preferably, said lens is a diverging lens.

[0010] Advantageously, the second lighting device is mounted on a support attached to the dashboard, said support having an extension running longitudinally along the interior trim to a front end of the first lighting device when the front side door is in the closed position, said extension having at least one side wall where a light-reflecting surface is arranged opposite said interior trim, more particularly with the alcove formed by the front end of the interior trim. Thus, the light-reflecting surface arranged opposite said interior trim amplifies the lighting at the level of the interior trim.

[0011] For example, said at least one light-emitting diode arranged between said side face and the first line shows a rectangular shape and is inclined between an angle from 45° to 90° with respect to the direction of the second line, or between an angle from 50° to 85°, or between an angle from 55° to 80°, or between an angle from 60° to 75°.

[0012] For example, said at least one light-emitting diode arranged between said side face and the first line shows a rectangular shape with a first length and a first width, said first length being opposite the interior trim, more particularly with the alcove presented by the front end of the interior trim.

[0013] For example, the second series of light-emitting diodes comprises a first subset of one or more diodes and a second subset of one or more diodes, the first subset being arranged between said side face and the first row and the second subset being arranged following the first subset from the first row in the opposite direction to said side face, and the diode or diodes of the first subset show a rectangular shape with a first length and a first width with the first length facing the interior trim and the diode or diodes of the second subset show a rectangular shape with a second length and a second width with the second length arranged parallel to the dashboard.

[0014] Preferably, the support is made of plastic material and the second lighting device is fixed to said support by means of a weld point.

[0015] Preferably, said extension of the support has at least one recess. This makes it possible to lighten the extension of the support.

[0016] Preferably, said support extension has at least one cable channel configured to receive at least one cable, for example a cable required for the first lighting device and / or the second lighting device.

[0017] For example, the light-reflecting surface is glued and / or snapped onto said at least one side wall of the support extension.

[0018] For example, the surface suitable for reflecting light is a piece of metal. Preferably, the surface suitable for reflecting light is made of aluminum. For example, the surface suitable for reflecting light is made of brushed aluminum.

[0019] Preferably, the first lighting device and / or the second lighting device each comprise a light diffuser. Advantageously, the light-emitting diode(s) of the first series of light-emitting diodes and / or the second series of light-emitting diodes are in the corresponding light diffuser. Advantageously, at least one light-emitting diode arranged between the lateral face and the first row of the second lighting device is also in the light diffuser included in the second lighting device.

[0020] For example, the light diffuser is made of transparent plastic, such as polycarbonate, milky polycarbonate and / or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), preferably milky polycarbonate and / or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

[0021] The invention will be well understood and other aspects and advantages will become clear upon reading the following description given with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0022] [Fig-1] The [Fig. 1] is a diagram of the arrangement between the first lighting device and the second lighting device according to the present invention.

[0023] [Fig.2] Fig.2 is a representation of the second lighting device with its support according to the present invention.

[0024] In the following description, the term "include" is synonymous with "include" and is not limiting in that it permits the presence of other steps in the process or other elements in the sealing frame or the vehicle to which it relates. It is understood that the term "include" includes the terms "consist of". The terms "external" and "internal" shall respectively designate what is oriented towards the outside of the vehicle and towards the inside of the vehicle.

[0025] Similarly, the terms "lower", "upper", "high" and "low" shall be understood according to their usual definition, in which the terms "lower" and "low" indicate a greater proximity to the ground in the vertical direction than respectively the terms "higher" and "high".

[0026] In this description, the terms "longitudinal" and "transverse" are used with respect to the vehicle's frame of reference in the mounting configuration. The term "longitudinal" refers to the vehicle's principal direction of travel. The term "transverse" refers to a direction perpendicular to the vehicle's principal direction of travel. The term "front" refers to the vehicle's principal direction of travel. The term "rear" refers to the opposite of the front of the vehicle.

[0027] Throughout the description, the different figures use the same reference signs to designate identical or similar entities.

[0028] A motor vehicle typically has two front side doors and includes a passenger compartment with a dashboard. Interior trim is fitted to each front side door. Each front side door can be in a position between closed, recommended for driving the vehicle, and open, to allow occupants to enter or exit the vehicle.

[0029] As shown in the diagram in [Fig. 1], the passenger compartment further comprises a first lighting device 1 attached to said interior trim with a first series 3 of light-emitting diodes aligned in a first row 5 and a second lighting device 7 attached to the dashboard with a second series 9 of light-emitting diodes aligned in a second row 11. Thus, when the front side opening is in the closed position, the second line links a transverse direction relative to the vehicle, while the first line 5 has a longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle.

[0030] Preferably, the first lighting device 1 is mounted on a support, for example a plastic support, attached to the interior trim.

[0031] Preferably, the second lighting device 7 is mounted on a support 19, for example a plastic support, attached to the dashboard.

[0032] The second lighting device 7 shows at least one side face 13 opposite said interior trim.

[0033] According to the invention, the motor vehicle is remarkable in that the second lighting device 7 comprises at least one light-emitting diode 15 arranged between said side face 13 and the first line 5, that is to say either at the level of the first line 5, or at a location situated at any distance between the side face 13 and the first line 5.

[0034] Preferably, the second lighting device 7 comprises at least one light-emitting diode 15 arranged between said side face 13 and the first line 5 at the level of the second line 11, that is to say in line with the second series 9 of light-emitting diodes which are aligned along the second line 11.

[0035] For example, in the diagram of [Fig. 1], said at least one light-emitting diode 15 is arranged on the second lighting device 7 at the level of the first row 5, in line with the second series 9 of light-emitting diodes which are aligned along the second row 11. Thus said at least one light-emitting diode 15 may be a light-emitting diode that is part of the second series 9 or may be a light-emitting diode that has been added to the second lighting device 7.

[0036] Since at least one light-emitting diode 15 is located at the lateral end of the second lighting device 7 attached to the dashboard, namely opposite the interior trim or more particularly opposite the alcove formed by the front end of the interior trim, the shadow area resulting from the discontinuity between the first lighting device 1 and the second lighting device 7, due to the fact that the front side panel may be in an open position, is reduced, or even completely eliminated when the front side panel is in the closed position. Indeed, light intensity is provided by the presence of one or more light-emitting diodes in an environment close to the interior trim.Thanks to the presence and / or addition of the light-emitting diode(s) between the side face 13 of the second lighting device and the first line 5, the homogeneity of the interior lighting of a motor vehicle is therefore considerably improved.

[0037] For example, said at least one light-emitting diode 15 arranged between said lateral face 13 and the first row 5 shows a rectangular shape. Said at least one light-emitting diode 15 can therefore be inclined between an angle from 45° to 90° with respect to the direction of the second row 11, or between an angle from 50° to 85°, or between an angle from 55° to 80°, or between an angle from 60° to 75°.

[0038] For example, said at least one light-emitting diode 15 arranged between said side face 13 and the first line 5 shows a rectangular shape with a first length and a first width, said first length being opposite the interior trim, more particularly with the alcove presented by the front end of the interior trim.

[0039] For example, the second series 9 of light-emitting diodes comprises a first subset of one or more diodes and a second subset of one or more diodes, the first subset being arranged between said side face 13 and the first row 5 and the second subset being arranged following the first subset from the first row 5 in the opposite direction to said side face 13, and the diode(s) of the first subset show a rectangular shape with a first length and a first width with the first length facing the interior trim and the diode(s) of the second subset show a rectangular shape with a second length and a second width with the second length arranged parallel to the dashboard.The lighting of the interior trim, particularly the alcove presented by the front end of the interior trim, as well as the dashboard, is thus optimized.

[0040] For example, the diodes of the first series 3 of light-emitting diodes are rectangular in shape with a third length and a third width, said third length being arranged parallel to the interior trim. The illumination of the interior trim is thus optimized.

[0041] This example of a configuration is shown in [Fig. 2], where the light-emitting diode 15 has a rectangular shape with a first length, inclined at 90° to the direction of the second line (not shown in [Fig. 2]). The longer side of this diode is thus aligned with the interior trim, more specifically with the alcove formed by the front edge of the interior trim, thereby increasing the light intensity needed to reduce, or even eliminate, the shadow area when the front side door is closed. The other light-emitting diodes in the second series 9 (forming the second sub-assembly) are also rectangular, with their lengths arranged parallel to the dashboard to optimize its illumination.

[0042] In order to further enhance the homogeneity of the interior lighting of a motor vehicle, the second lighting device 7 may further include a lens 17 on the side face 13 of said second lighting device. Placing a lens 17 on the side face 13 of the second lighting device allows the light beam from said second lighting device 7 to be directed onto the interior trim, more particularly onto the alcove formed by the front end of the interior trim. Preferably, said lens 17 is a diverging lens, which has the effect of diverging the light beam from the second lighting device 7 and thus forming a luminous spot that extends onto the interior trim, more particularly onto the alcove.

[0043] As the second lighting device 7 is mounted on a support 19 attached to the dashboard, said support 19 may advantageously have an extension 21 extending longitudinally along the interior trim to a front end of the first lighting device 1 when the front side door is in the closed position, said extension 21 having at least one side wall 23 where a light-reflecting surface 25, namely a reflector, is arranged opposite said interior trim, more particularly with the alcove presented by the front end of the interior trim. For example, the extension 21 of the support extends longitudinally along the interior trim from the rear end of the support 19 to a front end of the first lighting device 1 when the front side door is in the closed position.Thus, the light-reflecting surface 25 arranged opposite the interior trim allows for amplified lighting at the level of the interior trim.

[0044] Preferably, the support 19 is made of plastic material and the second lighting device 7 is attached to said support by means of a weld point. For example, the weld point requires a plastic rod and / or a plastic end piece, which allows a plastic welding operation to be performed.

[0045] For example, the bracket 19 shows at least one tab 27. The tab(s) 27 may include one or more openings 29, through which the wiring necessary for the operation of the second lighting device 7 can be inserted. The opening(s) 29 may also serve to lighten the bracket 19.

[0046] Preferably, said extension 21 of the support has at least one recess 31. This makes it possible to lighten the extension of the support.

[0047] Preferably, said support extension has at least one cable channel 33 configured to receive at least one cable, for example a cable required for the first lighting device 1 and / or the second lighting device 7.

[0048] For example, the light-reflecting surface 25 is glued and / or snapped onto said at least one side wall 23 of the extension 21 of the support.

[0049] For example, the light-reflecting surface 25 is a piece of metal. Preferably, the light-reflecting surface 25 is made of aluminum. For example, the light-reflecting surface 25 is made of brushed aluminum.

[0050] Preferably, the first lighting device 1 and / or the second lighting device 7 each comprise a light diffuser. This diffuser may be glued and / or snapped to the lighting device. Advantageously, the LED(s) of the first series 3 of LEDs and / or of the second series 9 of LEDs are in the corresponding light diffuser. Advantageously, at least one LED 15 of the second lighting device 7 arranged between the side face 13 and the first row 5 is also in the light diffuser included in the second lighting device 7.

[0051] For example, the light diffuser is made of transparent plastic, such as polycarbonate, milky polycarbonate and / or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), preferably milky polycarbonate and / or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

[0052] In a preferred configuration of the invention, the latter relates to a motor vehicle showing a front side opening, and comprising a passenger compartment with a dashboard and an interior trim mounted on the front side opening, the passenger compartment further comprising a first lighting device 1 attached to said interior trim with a first series 3 of light-emitting diodes aligned along a first line 5 and a second lighting device 7 attached to the dashboard with a second series 9 of light-emitting diodes aligned along a second line 11, said second lighting device 7 showing at least one side face 13 opposite said interior trim.The motor vehicle is notable in that the second lighting device 7 comprises at least one light-emitting diode 15 arranged between said side face 13 and the first line 5, in that the second lighting device 7 further comprises a lens 17 at the level of said side face 13, and in that the second lighting device 7 is mounted on a support 19 adjoining the dashboard, said support 19 having an extension 21 extending longitudinally along the interior trim to a front end of the first lighting device 1 when the front side opening is in the closed position, said extension 21 having at least one side wall 23 where a surface 25 capable of reflecting light is arranged opposite said interior trim, more particularly with the alcove presented by the front end of the interior trim.

[0053] In this preferred configuration, there is one or more light-emitting diodes 15 located at the end of the second lighting device 7 attached to the dashboard to provide intensity to the lighting directed towards the interior trim, more particularly at the level of the alcove, a lens 17 to direct the entire beam of light coming from said second lighting device 7 and a surface 25 suitable for reflecting the light arranged opposite said interior trim in order to further amplify the lighting.

Claims

Demands

1. A motor vehicle exhibiting a front side opening, and comprising a passenger compartment with a dashboard and interior trim mounted on the front side opening, the passenger compartment further comprising a first lighting device (1) integral with said interior trim with a first series (3) of light-emitting diodes aligned in a first row (5) and a second lighting device (7) integral with the dashboard with a second series (9) of light-emitting diodes aligned in a second row (11), said second lighting device (7) exhibiting at least one side face (13) opposite said interior trim, said motor vehicle is characterized in that the second lighting device (7) comprises at least one light-emitting diode (15) arranged between said side face (13) and the first row (5),The second lighting device (7) further comprises a diverging lens (17) at said side face (13), and the second lighting device (7) is mounted on a support (19) adjoining the dashboard, said support (19) having an extension (21) extending longitudinally along the interior trim to a front end of the first lighting device (1) when the front side opening is in the closed position, said extension (21) having at least one side wall (23) where a surface (25) capable of reflecting light is arranged opposite said interior trim.

2. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one light-emitting diode (15) arranged between said side face (13) and the first line (5) shows a rectangular shape and is inclined between an angle from 45° to 90° with respect to the direction of the second line (11) and / or in that said at least one light-emitting diode (15) arranged between said side face (13) and the first line (5) shows a rectangular shape with a first length and a first width, said first length being opposite the interior trim.

3. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the diodes of the second series (9) of light-emitting diodes are rectangular in shape with a second length and a second width, said second length being arranged parallel to the dashboard.

4. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the support (19) is made of plastic material and in that the second lighting device (7) is fixed to said support (19) by means of a weld point.

5. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said extension (21) of the support has at least one recess (31) and / or in that said extension (21) of the support has at least one channel (33) configured to receive at least one cable.

6. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the light-reflecting surface (25) is glued and / or snapped onto said at least one side wall (23) of the extension (21) of the support.

7. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the surface (25) capable of reflecting light is a piece of metal; preferably, of aluminum.

8. Vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first lighting device (1) and / or the second lighting device (7) each comprise a light diffuser; preferably, the light diffuser is made of transparent plastic.

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