EXTERNAL CLADDING COMPONENT OF OR FOR A VEHICLE AND VEHICLE COMPRISING SUCH AN EXTERNAL CLADDING COMPONENT

Abstract

An external cladding component of or for a vehicle, by which information can be displayed, is disclosed. The cladding component has a base body with a first surface and a second surface, the second surface facing to the exterior of the cladding component, and an aperture running through the base body, and a light source providing a beam of light, wherein the light source is at least partially arranged within the aperture and protrudes the second surface, or the beam of light is running through the aperture, wherein the beam of light at least partially impinges on an illumination section provided by the second surface.

Claims

1. An external cladding component of or for a vehicle, comprising, a base body having a first surface and a second surface, said second surface facing to an exterior of the cladding component, an aperture extending through the base body, and a light source providing a beam of light, wherein the light source is at least partially arranged within the aperture and protruding from the second surface, or the beam of light is running through the aperture, wherein the beam of light at least partially impinges on an illumination section provided by the second surface.

2. The external cladding component according to claim 1, wherein the beam of light forms an angle of impact (α) with the illumination section that is larger than 0° and smaller than 360°.

3. The external cladding component according to claim 2, wherein the angle of impact (α) with the illumination section is between 1° and 90°.

4. The external cladding component according to claim 1, wherein the external cladding component comprises a curvature which is at least partially extending into the illumination section or arranged outside the illumination section.

5. The external cladding component according to claim 1, further comprising protrusions on which the beam of light at least partially impinges.

6. The external cladding component according to claim 1, wherein the aperture is arranged inside a recess of the cladding component.

7. The external cladding component according to claim 6, further comprising an optical unit for deflecting the beam of light.

8. The external cladding component according to claim 7, further comprising a moving unit for moving the optical unit relative to the light source.

9. The external cladding component according to claim 8, wherein the cladding component comprises a lid for closing the aperture.

10. The external cladding component according to claim 9, wherein the lid is movable by the moving unit.

11. The external cladding component according to claim 1, wherein the cladding component comprises color changing means for changing the color of the beam of light.

12. The external cladding component according to claim 9, wherein the light source is integrated into a projector.

13. A vehicle, comprising an external cladding component according to claim 1.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, further comprising a control unit for controlling the light source, and at least one of the projector and the moving unit.

15. The vehicle according to claim 14, further comprising a number of sensors that interact with the control unit for determining the current status of the vehicle, wherein the light source and/or the projector are controlled depending on the determined status of the vehicle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0035] FIG. 1 is a principle sectional view through a first embodiment of an external cladding component according to the present disclosure,

[0036] FIG. 2 is a principle sectional view through a second embodiment of an external cladding component according to the present disclosure,

[0037] FIG. 3 is a principle sectional view through a third embodiment of an external cladding component according to the present disclosure,

[0038] FIG. 4 is a principle sectional view through a fourth embodiment of an external cladding component according to the present disclosure,

[0039] FIG. 5 is a principle sectional view through a fifth embodiment of an external cladding component according to the present disclosure,

[0040] FIG. 6 is a principle sectional view through a sixth embodiment of an external cladding component according to the present disclosure,

[0041] FIG. 7 is a principle sectional view through a seventh embodiment of an external cladding component according to the present disclosure,

[0042] FIG. 8A is a principle sectional view through a seventh embodiment of an external cladding component according to the present disclosure in a first state,

[0043] FIG. 8B is a principle sectional view through a seventh embodiment of an external cladding component according to the present disclosure in a second state,

[0044] FIG. 9 is a principle top view of a vehicle comprising one or more of the external cladding components shown in the previous figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] In FIG. 1, a first embodiment of an external cladding component 10.sub.1 of a vehicle 12 (see FIG. 8) is shown by a principle sectional view. The external cladding component 10.sub.1 comprises a base body 14 having a first surface 16 and a second surface. The first surface 16 is facing into the interior of the external cladding component 10.sub.1 while the second surface 18 is facing to the exterior. Thus the second surface 18 is the visible face that can be noted by an observer looking at the vehicle 12.

[0046] The base body 14 forms a recess 20. To form the recess 20 the base body 14 comprises a first section 22, a second section 24 and a third section 26. The first section 22 is enclosing a first angle y1 of around 90° with the second section 24 while the second section 24 is enclosing a second angle y2 with the third section 26, the second angle y2 being smaller than the first angle y1. The first angle y1 may significantly differ from 90° . As external cladding components 10.sub.1 are usually curved it may not be possible to clearly define the first section 22, the second section 24 and the third section 26 and thus the first angle y1 and the second angle y2. However, the underlying concept is analogously applicable to curved cladding components 10.sub.1.

[0047] An aperture 28 completely running through the base body 14 is located inside the recess 20 and inside the second section 24 of the base body 14. Moreover, the external cladding component 10.sub.1 comprises a light source 30 that is fastened to the base body 14 by fastening means that are not shown. Alternatively the light source 30 can be fastened to parts of the vehicle 12 such as the chassis. The light source 30 comprises in total four LEDs, 32 each of which emit light of a different color such that a beam of light 33 is generated. However, another number of LEDs 32 may also be employed. Depending on the application only one LED 32 may be sufficient. The light source 30 is part of a projector 34 that further comprises color changing means 36 for changing the color of the beam of light 33, in this case a color filter 38. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the color of the beam of light 33 could be changed by mixing the light of the four LEDs 32 and/or by the color filter 38. Depending on the properties of the projector 34 the colors may be changed without the need of a color filter 38.

[0048] The projector 34 is arranged such that it protrudes the aperture 28 and partially extends beyond the second surface 18. The gap between the projector 34 and the second section 24 may be filled by a filling material (not shown) which may be transparent or opaque. In this case the aperture 28 is closed. In the first embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.1 the projector 34 is arranged perpendicular to the second section 24 and the aperture 28. The beam of light 33 leaves the projector 34 by an angle of radiation 13 and partially impinges on the second surface 18 forming an illumination section 40. In other words: The illumination section 40 is the part of the second surface 18 illuminated by the beam of light 33. In this case the illumination section 40 is plane. The illumination section 40 forms an angle of impact a with the beam of light 33 that is in this case about 15° . The angle of impact α is the angle formed between the illumination section 40 and the angle of radiation β . The smaller the angle of impact a, the smaller the light yield or the light intensity of the beam of light 33 in the illumination section 40.

[0049] The illumination section 40 is visible to an observer. Depending on the performance of the projector 34 it may only be possible to change the color of the beam of light 33 such that the illumination section 40 is e.g. illuminated in green or red. However, it may be possible to project certain patterns such as letters or pictures on the second surface 18. Video-sequences may also be projected on the second surface 18.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a principle sectional view of a second embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.2 of the present disclosure. The basic construction of the second embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.2 is the same as of the first embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.1. However the second surface 18 of the second embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.2 comprises a number of protrusions 42 located inside the illumination section 40. The protrusions 42 may have a linear or undulated or any other contour. The angle of impact a in the protrusions 42 is different from the angle of impact a inside the remaining illumination section 40. Beyond that the protrusions 42 may shadow parts of the illumination section 40 so that the observer perceives a certain pattern, e.g. a line pattern. However, in the second embodiment the projector 34 comprises a mask 39 that is designed such that the light beam 33 only impinges on the protrusions 42 while the rest of the second surface 18 remain dark.

[0051] The mask 39 is able to shadow parts of the light beam 33 such that sharp edges are generated that demarcate illuminated areas from shadowed areas of the light beam. The use of the mask 39 is not limited to the second embodiment but may also be used in the other embodiments shown.

[0052] The reflectivity of the protrusions 42 may be higher compared to the remaining illumination section 40. This pattern is only produced by the surface design of the second surface 18 and not by the light source 30 or the projector 34. Thus the design of the projector 34 and the light source 30 can be kept simple.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a principle sectional view of a third embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.3 of the present disclosure. The basic construction of the second embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.3 is the same as of the first embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.1. In this case the second surface 18 comprises a curvature 44 located in the third section 26. The first angle y1 and the second angle y2 are equal. The curvature 44 does not extend into the illumination section 40 such that the illumination section 40 is planar. The curvature 44 is arranged adjacent to the illumination section 40. However, as the curvature 44 is influencing the orientation of the illumination section 40 the curvature 44 is influencing the angle of impact a of the illumination section 40.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.4. In this case the curvature 44 is extending into the illumination section 40. In this case the angle of impact a (not shown in FIG. 4) is changing within the illumination section 40 which influences the light yield of the beam of light 33 within the illumination section 40. As a consequence the light distribution within the illumination section 40 is variable. To reach an acceptable angle of impact a, the projector 34 and thus the light source 30 are arranged with a certain inclination relative to the second section 24 and the aperture 28. As a result the illumination section 40 (not explicitly shown in FIG. 4) extends to the intersection between the second section 24 and the third section 26.

[0055] FIG. 5 shows a principle sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.5 of the present disclosure. The fifth embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.5 shows a high degree of resemblance with the first embodiment, however, the first angle y1 and the second angle y2 are equal and the third section 26 does not comprise any curvature 44. As in the fourth embodiment, the projector 34 and thus the light source 30 are arranged with a certain inclination relative to the second section 24 and the aperture 28.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows a principle sectional view of a sixth embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.6 of the present disclosure. The sixth embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.6 shows a high degree of resemblance with the third embodiment. However, the projector 34 and thus the light source 30 are arranged such that they do not protrude into the aperture 28. Thus the beam of light 33 passes through the aperture 28. In this embodiment the projector 34 is better protected from outer influences like stone chipping or the like.

[0057] In the seventh embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.7 of the present disclosure that is shown in FIG. 7, the external cladding component 10.sub.7 comprises an optical unit 46 that deflects the beam of light 33. The optical unit 46 may comprise a mirror or a prism. In this case the optical unit 46 is designed such that an acceptably high angle of impact a is reached. The light source 30 and the projector 34 can be arranged at distance to the aperture 28 thereby being protected from outer influences.

[0058] FIGS. 8A and 8B show an eighth embodiment of the external cladding component 10.sub.8 of the present disclosure. In this embodiment the cladding component 10.sub.8 does not comprise a recess 20. The cladding component can therefore not be subdivided into the first section 22, the second section 24 and the third section 26.

[0059] As in the seventh embodiment, the eighth embodiment comprises the optical unit 46 for deflecting the beam of light 33. Moreover, the optical unit 46 or parts of the same are arranged on a lid 47 by which the aperture 28 can be closed as shown in FIG. 7B. The external cladding component 10.sub.8 is equipped with a moving unit 48 by which the lid 47 and the optical unit 46 can be moved between a first end position (FIG. 7A) and a second end position (FIG. 7B). Intermediate positions are also possible. As already mentioned, the lid 47 closes the aperture 28 when the lid 47 and the optical unit 46 have reached the second end position. As the beam of light 33 cannot transmit though the aperture 28 anymore, the light source 30 is turned off. In the first end position, the lid 47 and the optical unit 46 are at a maximum distance from the light source 30 and the projector 34. By moving the lid 47 and the optical unit 46, the illumination section 40 is also moving. Dynamic effects can be implemented.

[0060] FIG. 9 shows a principle top view on a vehicle 12 comprising a number of external cladding components 10 of the present disclosure. The external cladding components 10 of the vehicle 12 are embodied as two front bumpers 50, one rear bumper 52, side skirts 54, B-pillar claddings 56 and a tailgate 62.

[0061] The vehicle 12 is equipped with a control unit 58 that is communicating with a plurality of sensors 60. For this purpose the sensors 60 are connected with the control unit 58 by wires 59. The control unit 58 is further connected with the light sources 30 or the projectors 34 of the mentioned external cladding components 10 by wires 59. For the sake of clarity, only the wires 59 by which the front bumpers 50 are connected with the control unit 58 are shown. It is noteworthy that in FIG. 9 only some of the sensors 60 are shown. Further sensors 60 may be arranged in the rear bumpers 52 or in the other cladding components 10.

[0062] In the embodiment shown, the sensors 60 are embodied as radar sensors, lidar sensors, infrared sensors, ultrasound sensors or the like. The surroundings of the vehicle 12 can be observed by these sensors 60 and the status of the vehicle 12 can be determined, e.g., with respect to potential collisions with pedestrians or cyclists. In case the control unit 58 detects a potential collision with a pedestrian the control unit 58 may send a signal to the light sources 30 or the projectors 34 of one or both of the front bumpers 50, the side skirt 54, the rear bumpers 52, the tailgate 62 or the B-pillar cladding that are visible to the pedestrian causing them to project a red flashing light on the second surface 18 thereby warning the pedestrian such that a collision may be prevented.