LIGHTING UNIT, VEHICLE COMPONENT AND VEHICLE

Abstract

The present disclosure refers to a lighting unit, in particular in form of a RGB light assembly, comprising one or more lighting segments, wherein each lighting segment comprises several light sources emitting light rays into one or more light guides merging into one light out-coupling surface for guiding the outputted light rays to a lens providing a light output. The light unit may be provided in two alternatives either the light sources directly face the lens such that light rays are guided through the light guide to pass the lens to light up a surface, or the light sources emit light rays to enter the light guide to be guided to a reflector which focuses the light rays into a light window of a mask to light up the lens in the region of the light window.

Claims

1-17. (canceled)

18. A lighting unit, comprising: a lens; and one or more lighting segments, each lighting segment comprising, a plurality of light sources, one or more light guides, and a light out-coupling surface, wherein the plurality of light sources emit light rays into the one or more light guides, and the one or more light guides merge into the light out-coupling surface for guiding outputted light rays to the lens to provide a light output.

19. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the plurality of light sources directly face the lens such that light rays are guided through the one or more light guides to pass the lens to light up a surface.

20. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the plurality of light sources emit light rays which enter the one or more light guides to be guided to a reflector which focuses the light rays into a light window of a mask to light up the lens in a region of a light window.

21. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the lighting unit is a RGB light assembly.

22. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the one or more light guides are non-diffuse or low diffuse light guides.

23. The lighting unit of claim 22, wherein the one or more light guides are bent along a light travel direction from the plurality of light sources to the lens.

24. The lighting unit of claim 22, wherein the one or more light guides are arranged with the light out-coupling surface adjacent to a reflector.

25. The lighting unit of claim 22, wherein the one or more light guides are partly screened from the lens by a masking providing a light window defining the light output.

26. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the plurality of light sources are provided by LEDs supported on a single printed circuit board.

27. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the plurality of light sources or groups of the plurality of light sources are individually controllable.

28. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the one or more light guides are provided with a light in-coupling surface and/or entry optics for each of the plurality of light sources or each group of the plurality of light sources.

29. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the one or more light guides are coupled with side wall optics, coatings and/or films.

30. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein a masking, coating and/or film is arranged between two neighboring light guides.

31. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the light out-coupling surface of the one or more light guides is at least partly provided with a masking, an in-mold decoration (IMD), a coating and/or separate film.

32. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein a single lens is arranged with each or all of the plurality of lighting segments.

33. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the lens is at least partly provided with a masking, an in-mold decoration (IMD), a coating and/or separate film.

34. The lighting unit of claim 31, wherein the separate film is a clear film with screen printed or digital printed mask and/or with a diffuse backing, and/or the coating is an AST coating comprising a metal and/or metal alloy.

35. The lighting unit of claim 33, wherein the separate film is a clear film with screen printed or digital printed mask and/or with a diffuse backing, and/or the coating is an AST coating comprising a metal and/or metal alloy.

36. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the one or more lighting segments are arranged at least partly between a housing and a cover.

37. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein one or more printed circuit board for the plurality of light sources at least partly supports the one or more light guides.

38. The lighting unit of claim 37, wherein a support supports the one or more printed circuit board and/or the one or more light guides and/or a reflector.

39. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein at least two lighting segments are coupled together and/or stacked, with side faces close together or touching and having side faces with a reflective or absorbing surface or an absorb shim placed in-between the at least two lighting segments.

40. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the light output is controllable via the plurality of light sources.

41. The lighting unit of claim 18, wherein the plurality of light sources comprise light sources emitting light of different colors.

42. The lighting unit of claim 20, wherein the reflector is a Lambertian or diffuse reflector.

43. The lighting unit of claim 20, wherein the mask is on a side of the lens facing the light guide.

44. The lighting unit of claim 20, the mask is disposed between the lens and the one or more lighting segments.

45. The lighting unit of claim 20, wherein the mask is molded together with the lens as a 2K molding part.

46. The lighting unit of claim 20, wherein the lens has a substantially V-shaped cross-section to house at least the one or more light guides and the reflector.

47. The lighting unit of claim 20, wherein the lens is provided with a plurality of capacitive touch areas.

48. The lighting unit of claim 20, wherein the light output is strip like.

49. The lighting unit of claim 38, wherein the support is formed with an extension.

50. The lighting unit of claim 49, wherein the extension has a substantially S shaped cross-section adapted to a bent form of the one or more light guides and configured to carry the reflector at the light out-coupling surface of the one or more light guides.

51. The lighting unit of claim 36, wherein the cover is at partly covered by the lens.

52. The lighting unit of claim 36, wherein the cover fixes a position of a reflector.

53. The lighting unit of claim 36, wherein the cover extends at least along the plurality of light guides and/or the one or more lighting segments from one or more light in-coupling surfaces to the light out-coupling surface.

54. The lighting unit of claim 18, further comprising: a control unit for controlling the light emitted by the plurality of light sources by turning the one or more lighting segments individually on and off.

55. A vehicle component in form of a door trim, an operator panel, a dashboard, or a rear view device, comprising at least one lighting unit of claim 18.

56. The vehicle component of claim 55, wherein the control unit is provided by a central control unit of a vehicle and/or a mobile device.

57. A vehicle with at least one vehicle component according to claim 55.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustration, certain examples of the present description are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an implementation of system, apparatuses, and methods consistent with the present description and, together with the description, serve to explain advantages and principles consistent with the invention.

[0040] FIG. 1a is an exploded view of a lighting unit with direct facing LEDs.

[0041] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the assembled lighting unit of FIG. 1a.

[0042] FIG. 1c is a cross-sectional view of the lighting unit of FIG. 1b.

[0043] FIG. 2a is an exploded view of a lighting unit with non-direct facing LEDs.

[0044] FIG. 2b is a perspective view of the assembled lighting unit of FIG. 2a.

[0045] FIG. 2c is a cross sectional view through the assembled lighting unit of FIG. 2b.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a part of an alternative lighting unit.

[0047] FIG. 4a is an exploded view of a further alternative lighting unit with non-direct facing LEDs.

[0048] FIG. 4b is a perspective view of the assembled lighting unit of FIG. 4a.

[0049] FIG. 5 is a front view of a lighting unit of FIG. 2b.

[0050] FIGS. 6a-6d are front views of a lighting unit of the present disclosure demonstrating different lighting effects.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, unless otherwise described, the same drawing reference numerals will be understood to refer to the same elements, features, and structures. The relative size and depiction of these elements may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

[0052] The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

[0053] FIGS. 1a to 1c depict a lighting unit in form of a RGB light assembly 10 comprising a housing 1, a printed circuit board 2, a light guide 3, a lens 4, and a cover 5. The printed circuit board 2, together with LEDs 20, 21, 22, 23, and the light guide 3 provide a lighting segment 9 arranged between the housing 1 and the cover 5 and behind the lens 4.

[0054] The printed circuit board 2 carries four LEDs 20, 21, 22, 23 emitting light of different colors into four respective light in-coupling surfaces 30, 31, 32, 33 of the light guide 3 being formed to provide light in-coupling optics and merging together along the light propagation direction to provide one common light out-coupling surface 34, as best seen in FIG. 1c.

[0055] The LEDs 20, 21, 22, 23 directly face the lens 4, such that the RGB light assembly 10 of FIGS. 1a to 1c provide a so called direct facing solution, which allows light rays to be guided through the light guide 3 to the lens 4 and exit the lens 4 to lighten up a surface, e.g. on the internal side of a door of vehicle (not shown). The light output of the RGB light assembly 10 is very efficient, and removes so called “hot spots”.

[0056] FIGS. 2a to 2c show a RGB light assembly 100 implementing a non-direct LED solution and being suited for efficiently providing light signals without blurred edges. Pointing LEDs away from the intended viewing direction removes the point source characteristics of the LEDs. Coupling a lighting segment with a Lambertian or Gaussian reflector or diffuse reflector to focus, concentrate or shape the light output to be directed to the viewing direction will be described in the following.

[0057] FIGS. 2a to 2c depict a lighting segment 900 of the RGB light assembly 1000. The lighting segment 900 comprises in line with FIG. 2a a printed circuit board 200 carrying two times 4 LEDs 220, 221, 222, 223 arranged to emit light into two light in-coupling surface 330, 330′ of a light guide 300 with one light out-coupling surface 340 guiding the light to a reflector 700 reflecting light to a mask 600, which is providing one strip like light window 610 such that the light can pass through the light window 610 and through a lens 400.

[0058] As best shown in FIG. 2b, the printed circuit board 200 is arranged on a support 150. The support 150 is formed with an extension 151, which has a substantially S shaped cross-section adapted to the bend form of the light guide 300 and suited to also carry the reflector 700 at the light out-coupling surface 340 of the light guide 300. The reflector 700 is fixed in position via a cover 500 partly covered by the lens 400 having a substantially V shaped cross-section. Between the lens 400 and the lighting segment 900 on the support 150, the mask 600 is arranged. Further a housing 100 is arranged opposite the cover 500.

[0059] FIG. 2c provides further details on the light rays 1100, which are emitted by the LED 220, enter the light guide 300 to be led to the reflector 700, which focuses the light rays 1100 into the light window 610 to efficiently light up the lens 400 in the region of the light window 610.

[0060] FIG. 2a also shows that the lens 400 is provided with a plurality of capacitive touch areas 410, and FIG. 2b shows that the lens 400 cooperates with a plurality of light guides 300-300′°, each one being formed and function as explained with respect to the light guide 300.

[0061] An alternative lighting segment 900a is shown in FIG. 3, with a light guide 300a having a single light in-coupling surface 330a facing four LEDs 220a, 221a, 222a, 223a carried by a printed circuit board 200a. The light in-coupling surface 330a is provided with optics, and opposite the light in-coupling surface 330a a light out-coupling surface 340a is provided by the the light guide 300a.

[0062] FIGS. 4a and 4b show a further alternative lighting segment 9000 for a RGB light assembly 1000, with a support 1500 for a printed circuit board 2000 together with LEDs (not shown), a light guide 3000 and a reflector 7000 partly covered by a lens 4000. In fact, a plurality of such lighting segments 9000 is shown, with the lighting segments 9000 being joined together to create a long light output.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows the light output of the assembled lighting unit 1000 of FIGS. 2b and 2c in form of a light stripe 800 on the lens 400, and FIGS. 6a to 6d show different lighting effects provided by a light stripe 800a to 800d which can be obtain for example with the lighting segments 9000 of FIG. 4b. The light stripes 800 and 800a to 800d are efficiently lit up due to the focusing of the light rays 1100 into the mask window 610.

[0064] The light strips depend on a coating of the lens, which can be an AST coating, in particular as described in WO 2015/131223 A1, WO 2013/110112 A1 or AU 2021 900 071 (not pre-published). FIG. 6a is a simulation of a panel with a 7% transmission coating leading to the light stripe 800a.

[0065] Further, the light strips depend on which of the lighting segments and/or LEDs are turned on. FIGS. 6b and 6c differ from each other by turning individual lighting segments off in FIG. 6b such that the light stripe 800b has a gap, while the light stripe 800c is continuous.

[0066] Still further, the light strips depend on the shape of the lighting segments and the optics at the light in-coupling surface as well as the light out-coupling surface. FIG. 6d shows an example light strip 800d with a fade out effect.

[0067] For all discussed lighting units, very small and/or highly constrained packaging spaces can utilized to create color mixing and even distribution. This is even possible with total light guide lengths as small as 7 mm or so. Due to the improved total packaging space, low current draw requirements per luminance output (NIT) is given.

[0068] By utilizing lighting segments both light cut off effects and strip lighting with reduced visible boundaries can be created.

[0069] In addition to lit up zones, which can be created with IMD or internal masking, capacitive touch zones may be created, using capacitive touch panels provided in a IMD molding film or in a mask. Thus, the lighting units of the present disclosure can be used in operator panels, for example provided in a dashboard or a rear view device of a vehicle.

[0070] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the presently disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit or scope of the presently disclosed subject matter. Thus, it is intended that the presently disclosed subject matter cover the modifications and variations of the presently disclosed subject matter provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. All related art references described above are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0071] 1 housing [0072] 2 printed circuit board [0073] 3 light guide [0074] 4 lens [0075] 5 cover [0076] 9 lighting segment [0077] 10 RGB light assembly [0078] 20-23 LED [0079] 30-33 light in-coupling surface [0080] 34 light out-coupling surface [0081] 100 housing [0082] 150 support [0083] 151 extension [0084] 200 printed circuit board [0085] 220-223, 220a-223a LED [0086] 300-300 iv, 300a light guide [0087] 330, 330′, 330a light in-coupling surface [0088] 340, 340a light out-coupling surface [0089] 400 lens [0090] 410 capacitive touch area [0091] 500 cover [0092] 600 mask [0093] 610 window [0094] 700 reflector [0095] 800-800d light strip [0096] 900, 900a lighting segment [0097] 1000 RGB light assembly [0098] 1100 light rays [0099] 1500 support [0100] 2000 printed circuit board [0101] 3000 light guide [0102] 4000 lens [0103] 7000 reflector [0104] 8000 light strip [0105] 9000 lighting segments [0106] 10000 RGB light assembly