Window assembly for a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a window assembly (1), in particular a roof window assembly (2), for a motor vehicle (50), having a transparent base panel (3) and at least one light-emitting means (7) which generates light during operation and outputs it in the direction of the inner surface (4) of the base panel. Improved illumination is achieved by arranging at least one mirror part (10) which reflects light from at least one of the at least one light-emitting means (7) on the inner surface (4) of the base panel. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a motor vehicle (50) having such a window assembly (1).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a window assembly for a motor vehicle, particularly a roof window assembly. The present invention further relates to a motor vehicle having such a window assembly.

Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles usually have windows through which the occupants of the vehicle can have an external view. This includes, for example, the front window and the side windows. Such windows can also be arranged on the roof of the motor vehicle, thereby enabling an upward view and / or allowing light to enter the vehicle from the outside.

[0003] In particular, the integration of windows into the roof of a motor vehicle leads to constraints on lighting means.

[0004] From Patent Document 1, a motor vehicle window having a first transparent layer and at least one light emitter arranged on this layer is known. Further, a transparent conductor structure is provided on the first layer for supplying energy to the light emitter. Patent Document 2 describes an interior lamp for a motor vehicle having a glass roof. This lamp has a lamp cover and a light input coupling member that inputs and couples light from the light emitting means laterally into the lamp cover. The lamp cover has a light shielding device in order to emit light only from one side of the lamp cover.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The problem addressed by the present invention is to provide an improved, or at least an alternative, embodiment of a window assembly for a motor vehicle, and of a motor vehicle having such a window assembly, in particular one that overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art. In particular, the problem addressed by the present invention is to provide an embodiment of a window assembly and of a motor vehicle that is characterized by improved lighting.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] According to the present invention, this problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0008] Accordingly, the general idea on which the present invention is based is to provide a window for a motor vehicle as an assembly in which the light-emitting means outputs light in the direction of the base panel, and a local reflector is provided on the side of the base panel facing away from the light-emitting means, and this reflector reflects the light of the light-emitting means, whereby, outside the reflector, light exits from the base panel and is output in this way. This results in the fact that the light-emitting means of the assembly, which will also be referred to below as the window assembly, can be arranged arbitrarily, and in particular in the immediate vicinity of the intended output location of the light, whereby the window assembly can output light at an even higher luminous intensity over the entire window assembly. Furthermore, since the output of light is obstructed by the reflector, an individual output of light, in particular of a light pattern, is realized. Furthermore, the reflector can be used to locally reduce the intensity of the output light, thereby avoiding, for example, the region with enhanced light output, which usually occurs immediately below the light-emitting means, so-called "hot spots", or at least reducing the luminous intensity in this region. In this way, it is possible overall to output light at an even higher luminous intensity over the entire window assembly and at the same time to adapt the output of light to individual requirements. In particular, it is possible to reduce the output of light in the region of the head of the vehicle occupants and / or in the direction of the eyes. As a result, this window assembly leads to an individual output of light and at the same time to an even higher level of comfort.

[0009] According to this inventive concept, the window assembly has a transparent panel which is a base panel. The base panel has two sides facing each other, which will hereinafter be also referred to as the inner surface of the base panel and the outer surface of the base panel. Furthermore, the window assembly has a module having at least one light-emitting means, which will hereinafter be also referred to as a lighting device. The lighting device, and accordingly at least one light-emitting means, is arranged on the side of the outer surface of the base panel facing away from the inner surface of the base panel. Each light-emitting means is configured to generate light during operation and output it in the direction of the inner surface of the base panel. Furthermore, the window assembly has a reflecting device. The reflecting device is arranged on the inner surface of the base panel and has at least one mirror part and at least one transmissive part. Each mirror part is configured to reflect the light of at least one of the at least one light-emitting means, preferably each light-emitting means, such that the mirror part reflects the light towards the outer surface of the base panel. Each transmissive part is configured to transmit the light of at least one of the at least one light-emitting means, preferably each light-emitting means, such that the light exits the window assembly through the at least one transmissive part and is outputted.

[0010] The reflecting device is preferably reflective by means of at least one mirror part, thereby reflecting the light of at least one light-emitting means and otherwise transmitting it. As a result, the light exits outside the at least one mirror part via the reflecting device and is outputted in that way.

[0011] "Transparent" means in this case being transmissive with respect to the light from at least one of the at least one light-emitting means, preferably with respect to the light from each light-emitting means.

[0012] "Transparent" preferably means being transmissive as a whole to visible light. That is, the light generated by at least one light-emitting means can be output through the inner surface of the base panel or the reflecting device, and at the same time, light, especially sunlight, can enter from the surroundings through the window assembly. This can not only take in external light through the window assembly but also enable viewing outside through the window assembly.

[0013] The window assembly is preferably applied to an automobile.

[0014] In an automobile, preferably the interior space, especially the passenger compartment, is individually illuminated and / or irradiated by a lighting device.

[0015] The window assembly preferably divides the interior space of the automobile.

[0016] The inner surface of the base panel or the reflecting device preferably faces the interior space of the automobile.

[0017] The window assembly can be considered to be applied as a side window of the automobile and / or as a door window of the automobile or as a part thereof.

[0018] Preferably, the window assembly is applied as the roof of the automobile, i.e., the roof window assembly. Thus, when the lighting device is operating, the window assembly individually generates light as needed for the passengers of the automobile. At the same time, the passengers of the automobile can see outside through the roof window assembly. In this way, the roof window assembly preferably serves as a panoramic roof of the automobile or is a part of the panoramic roof. At this time, the roof window assembly can specifically embody individual lighting in the form of a roof liner and / or ambient lighting.

[0019] The lighting device of the window assembly can have a single light-emitting means.

[0020] The lighting device preferably has at least two light-emitting means. It is convenient for these light-emitting means to be spaced apart from each other. The light-emitting means are preferably evenly distributed in the window assembly, particularly in the lighting device. This enables an even, individual, and accurate light output.

[0021] Each light-emitting means may be arbitrarily configured as long as it generates light during operation and outputs it in the direction of the inner surface of the base panel.

[0022] At least one of the at least one light-emitting means, preferably each light-emitting means, is preferably a light-emitting diode or simply an LED. This enables a compact design form of the window assembly and a larger number of light-emitting means, leading to a reduced energy consumption.

[0023] When the lighting device has two or more light-emitting means, at least two of these light-emitting means can generate different types of light, for example, light of different colors and / or luminosities.

[0024] Embodiments in which the same type of light-emitting means generates light are preferred. In this way, a simple and low-cost embodiment of the window assembly is realized, and at the same time, with the reflector device, the individual output of light and the avoidance of hot spots are also realized in a simple and low-cost manner.

[0025] Each mirror part may be embodied in any way as long as it reflects light from at least one of the at least one light-emitting means, preferably from each light-emitting means.

[0026] At least one of the at least one mirror part, particularly each mirror part, is preferably a reflective layer.

[0027] At least one of the at least one mirror portion, in particular each mirror portion, may be directly applied to the inner surface of the base panel.

[0028] Embodiments in which the reflecting device has a film having at least one mirror portion are preferred. The film is preferably transparent in other portions.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the reflecting device has at least two mirror portions and at least one transparent portion separating the mirror portions from each other along the inner surface of the base panel. In this way, a more individual output of the light generated by at least one light-emitting means can be achieved.

[0030] Embodiments in which the window assembly has a portion for scattering the light reflected by at least one mirror portion are considered preferred, and this portion will be referred to hereinafter as the scattering portion. Accordingly, embodiments in which a scattering structure having at least one scattering portion is arranged on the side of the outer surface of the base panel facing away from the inner surface of the base panel are preferred. Each scattering portion is configured such that the scattering portion scatters the light reflected by the reflecting device in the direction of the inner surface of the base panel. In this way, the scattered light is output from the window assembly as scattered or diffused light through at least one transparent portion. This leads to a further individualization of the light output. Furthermore, in this way, it is possible to define a region directly reached by the light generated by at least one light-emitting means and another region in which the light generated by at least one light-emitting means is output as scattered or diffused light.

[0031] The window assembly preferably has a cover panel, and the lighting device is arranged between the cover panel and the base panel. That is, the window assembly has a cover panel on the side of the lighting device facing away from the outer surface of the base panel.

[0032] The lighting device is preferably attached to the cover panel. This leads to simple manufacturing and a compact structure of the window assembly.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the lighting device has a functionalized film, also referred to hereinafter as a functional film. The functional film is preferably electrically insulating and preferably made of plastic. The functional film is preferably produced by injection molding. At this time, at least one of at least one light-emitting means, preferably each light-emitting means, is attached to the functional film. Such a type of functional film can be attached and / or processed in a simple manner between each panel and to one panel. In this way, the manufacture of the window assembly is simplified, and furthermore, the window assembly becomes even more compact.

[0034] The attachment of at least one light-emitting means to the functional film can be carried out in any manner. In particular, at least one light-emitting means is joined to the functional film, for example, adhered.

[0035] The functional film is preferably attached to the cover panel, particularly on the side facing the base panel. This leads to simplified manufacture of the window assembly.

[0036] The functional film preferably has at least one electrical conductor path for supplying power to at least one light-emitting means. In a preferred embodiment, at least one conductor path is printed on the functional film. This leads to a compact configuration and low-cost manufacture of the window assembly.

[0037] The use of such functional films is known, for example, from so-called "intelligent glass" or "smart glass", in particular "polymer dispersed liquid crystal devices" or abbreviated "PDLC", and "suspended particle devices" or abbreviated "SPD". As a result, window assemblies can be manufactured in an easy, low-cost and accurate manner.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the at least one scattering portion, in particular the scattering structure, is attached to the functional film. This leads to further simplification in the manufacture of window assemblies and at the same time to an accurate placement of the at least one scattering portion and the associated accurate light output.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the reflecting device has such a mirror portion within the cone of light of at least one of the at least one light-emitting means, preferably each light-emitting means, on the inner surface of the base panel, and there is no mirror portion outside the cone of light. That is, outside the cone of light, a region of the reflecting device without a mirror portion is arranged, which will also be referred to below as the transmission region. In this way, the above-mentioned hot spots are avoided in a simple and effective manner, and at the same time an accurate and / or wide-area light output is achieved.

[0040] The scattering structure preferably has no scattering portion in at least one region of at least one of the at least one light-emitting means and has a scattering portion at a distance from the light-emitting means. That is, the scattering structure has at least one region without a scattering portion, which will also be referred to below as the blank region. It is convenient for each light-emitting means to be arranged in the assigned blank region.

[0041] An embodiment is preferably considered in which a transmission region of the reflection device without a mirror portion and a blank region of the scattering structure without a scattering portion are laterally spaced apart from each other in a direction of an interval between an inner surface of the base panel and an outer surface of the base panel. At least one of the at least one transmission region preferably overlaps with the scattering portion laterally with respect to the interval direction. As a result, direct radiation of light from at least one of the at least one light emitting means is prevented or at least reduced, thereby avoiding or at least reducing hot spots. At the same time, outside the above-described hot spots, an output of light diffusing over a wide area is realized.

[0042] Naturally, in addition to the window assembly, an automobile having such a window assembly is also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0043] Further important features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings, and the corresponding description based on the drawings.

[0044] It should be understood that the features listed above and the features further described below can be used not only in the combinations shown respectively without departing from the scope of the present invention, but also in other combinations or alone.

[0045] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below, but the same reference numerals represent the same or similar or functionally identical components.

[0046] Here, the following is schematically described in the drawings respectively.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0047]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0048] As illustrated as an example in FIGS. 1 to 3, the window assembly 1 is applied to the automobile 50 illustrated as an example in FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the window assembly 1 is applied to the roof 52 of the automobile 50, and thus is a roof window assembly 2 that is a component of the panoramic roof 53 of the automobile 50 or forms the panoramic roof 53. At this time, the window assembly 1 separates the internal space 51 of the automobile 50 for the passengers (not shown). Therefore, the window assembly 1 configured as the roof window assembly 2 separates the internal space 51 in the Z direction 100 of the automobile 50.

[0049] As can be seen from the cross-sectional view of the window assembly 1 shown in FIG. 2, the window assembly 1 has a transparent panel 3, which is also referred to as the base panel 3 hereinafter. The base panel 3 has two spaced-apart surfaces 4, 5, which are also referred to as the inner surface 4 of the base panel and the outer surface 5 of the base panel hereinafter. The inner surface 4 of the base panel and the outer surface 5 of the base panel are spaced apart from each other in the direction 101, which is also referred to as the spacing direction 101 hereinafter. In the illustrated embodiment, the spacing direction 101 extends substantially parallel to the Z direction 100. Further, the window assembly 1 has a module 6 including at least one light-emitting means 7, which is also referred to as the lighting device 6 hereinafter. In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting device 6 has at least two light-emitting means 7, and two such light-emitting means 7 can be seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, each light-emitting means 7 is configured as an LED 8. Thus, the lighting device 6, and accordingly at least one light-emitting means 7, is arranged on the side of the outer surface 5 of the base panel facing away from the inner surface 4 of the base panel. Each light-emitting means 7 is configured to generate light during operation and output it in the direction of the inner surface 4 of the base panel, and in particular, is aligned in such a manner. In the drawing of FIG. 2, the light generated and output by the left light-emitting means 7, and its path or propagation, are illustrated by arrows as an example. Further, the window assembly 1 has a module 9, which is also referred to as the reflecting device 9 hereinafter. The reflecting device 9 is arranged on the inner surface 4 of the base panel. The reflecting device 9 has at least one portion 10 that reflects light from at least one of the light-emitting means 9, preferably light from each light-emitting means 9 in the illustrated embodiment, which is also referred to as the mirror portion 10 hereinafter. Each mirror portion 10 is configured to reflect the light of the light-emitting means 7 towards the outer surface 5 of the base panel, as shown for one of the mirror portions 10 in FIG. 2. Further, the reflecting device 9 has a transparent portion 11 for light from at least one of the light-emitting means 9, preferably for the entire visible light in this example, which is also referred to as the transmission portion 11 hereinafter.That is, each of the transmissive portions 11 is configured to be transparent to the light of the light-emitting means 7, whereby the light passes through the transmissive portion 11 and exits the window assembly 1, that is, is output. In this way, it is possible to output light from the window assembly 1 through the inner surface 4 of the base panel in an arbitrary pattern and / or with even higher luminous intensity under a compact design form.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the reflecting device 9 in this case. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the reflecting device 9 has, in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of mirror portions 10 spaced apart from each other and continuous transmissive portions 11 separating the mirror portions 10 from each other along the inner surface 4 of the base panel. As can be further seen from FIG. 3, the reflecting device 9 has mirror portions 10 of different sizes in the illustrated embodiment. Each mirror portion 10 may be constituted by a coating that reflects correspondingly on the inner surface 4 of the base panel or by a film attached to the inner surface 4 of the base panel (not shown respectively).

[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, in the illustrated embodiment, the window assembly 1 divides the interior space 51 of the automobile 50 by the inner surface 4 of the base panel or the reflecting device 9. In this way, it is possible to integrate, for example, a roof liner into the panoramic roof 53 by the window assembly 1.

[0052] In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting device 6 is disposed between the base panel 3 and the cover panel 18 of the window assembly 1. That is, the window assembly 1 has the cover panel 18 on the side of the lighting device 6 facing away from the outer surface 5 of the base panel.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the lighting device 6 has a functional film 14 made of plastic, as can be seen in FIG. 2, to which the light-emitting means 7 is attached. Here, the functional film 16, and accordingly the lighting device 6, is attached to the cover panel 18. The light-emitting means 7, in particular the LED 8, may be adhered to the functional film 14. Further, a conductor path (not shown) for power supply to the light-emitting means 7 may be printed on the functional film 14.

[0054] In the illustrated embodiment, the window assembly 1 has a structure 12 that scatters, by means of a portion 13, the light reflected by the reflecting device 9 in the direction of the inner surface 4 of the base panel, as can be seen in FIG. 2, so that the scattered or diffused light is output through at least one transmissive portion 11. The structure 12 will also be referred to below as the scattering structure 12, and the portion 13 as the scattering portion 13. Each scattering portion 13 is configured to scatter the light reflected by the reflecting device 9 in the direction of the inner surface 4 of the base panel, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2. At this time, the scattering structure 12 is attached to the functional film 14 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0055] Particularly as can be further seen in FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the reflecting device 9 has at least one region 16 that does not have a mirror portion 10 and is thus transparent to the light of the light-emitting means 7. This region 16 will be referred to below as the transmissive region 16. That is, in the transmissive region 16, light can exit the window assembly 1 through the inner surface 4 of the base panel. At this time, the reflecting device 9 has such a mirror portion 10 within the cone 15 of the light of each light-emitting means 9 on the inner surface of the base panel in the illustrated embodiment, and there is no mirror portion 10 outside the cone 15 of the light. Thus, there is a transmissive region 16 in the region outside the cone 15 of the light. As a result, the light generated by each light-emitting means 7 does not exit the window assembly 1 as a whole directly, thereby avoiding the so-called "hot spot" of the light.

[0056] As can be further seen from FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the scattering portions 13 are grouped and arranged, whereby the scattering structure 12 has regions 17 without scattering portions 13, which are also referred to hereinafter as blank regions 17. That is, light is not scattered in the blank regions 17. The light emitting means 7 are each arranged in such blank regions 17, that is, the scattering structure 12 does not have scattering portions 13 in the regions of the light emitting means 9. Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the transmission regions 16 of the reflection device 9 and the blank regions 17 of the scattering structure 12 are laterally spaced apart from each other with respect to the spacing direction 101 between the inner surface 4 and the outer surface 5 of the base panel, whereby at least one transmission region 16 overlaps with the grouped scattering portions 13. Thus, as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2, the light reflected by the mirror portion 10 of the reflection device 9 is scattered from the scattering portions 13 in the direction of the transmission region 16.

Claims

1. A window assembly (1) for a motor vehicle (50), in particular a roof window assembly (2), comprising: - A transparent base panel (3) having an inner surface (4) of the base panel and an outer surface (5) of the base panel facing away from the inner surface (4) of the base panel; - An illumination device (6) disposed on the side of the outer surface (5) of the base panel facing away from the inner surface (4) of the base panel, the illumination device (6) having at least one light-emitting means (7), in particular at least one LED (8); - Each of the light-emitting means (7) is configured to generate light during operation and output the light in the direction of the inner surface (4) of the base panel; - A reflection device (9) disposed on the inner surface (4) of the base panel; - The reflection device (9) has at least one mirror portion (10) and at least one transmission portion (11); - Each of the mirror portions (10) is configured to reflect the light from at least one of the at least one light-emitting means (7) toward the outer surface (5) of the base panel; - Each of the transmission portions (11) is configured to transmit the light from at least one of the at least one light-emitting means (7) such that the light exits the window assembly (1). The window assembly is as described above.

2. The window assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the reflection device (9) has at least two mirror portions (10) and at least one transmission portion (11) separating the mirror portions (10) from each other along the inner surface (4) of the base panel.

3. A scattering structure (12) having at least one scattering portion (13) is disposed on the side of the outer surface (5) of the base panel facing away from the inner surface (4) of the base panel. Each of the scattering portions (13) is configured to scatter the light reflected by the reflection device (9) in the direction of the inner surface (4) of the base panel. The window assembly according to claim 1 or 2 is as described above.

4. The window assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the illumination device (6) has a functional film (14) to which at least one of the light-emitting means (7) is attached.

5. The window assembly according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the scattering structure (12) is attached to the functional film (14).

6. The window assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reflecting device (9) on the inner surface of the base panel has the mirror portion (10) within at least one cone of light (15) of at least one of the light emitting means (9), and there is no mirror portion (10) outside the cone of light (15).

7. The window assembly according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the scattering structure (12) has no scattering portion (13) in at least one region of at least one of the light emitting means (9), and has the scattering portion (13) spaced apart from the light emitting means (9).

8. The window assembly according to claims 6 and 7, wherein the transmission region (16) of the reflecting device (9) without the mirror portion (10) and the blank region (17) of the scattering structure (12) without the scattering portion (13) are laterally spaced apart from each other with respect to the spacing direction (101) between the inner surface (4) and the outer surface (5) of the base panel.

9. The window assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, having a cover panel (18) on the side of the lighting device (6) facing away from the outer surface (5) of the base panel, and the lighting device (6), in particular the functional film (14), is attached to the cover panel (18).

10. In an automobile (50) having the window assembly (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the window assembly (1) divides the interior space (51) of the automobile (50).

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