LIGHTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SAID LIGHTING DEVICE

Abstract

The lighting device comprises a light guide comprising two or more layers; and a light source that illuminates the light guide. The two or more layers define at least one surface between two adjacent layers. Geometric motives are formed in the at least one surface. The method for manufacturing the lighting device includes the step of providing one layer. Geometric motives are then formed in the one layer. After this formation, another layer is injected directly to the geometric motives, thus defining a surface between the layers that provides a better homogenous illuminance and a better photometric performance.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising: a light guide comprising two or more layers; and a light source that illuminates the light guide, characterized in that the two or more layers define at least one surface between two adjacent layers, geometric motives being formed in the at least one surface.

2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the geometric motives are geometric shapes formed in the at least one surface.

3. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the geometric motives are recesses and protrusions made in the at least one surface.

4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the geometric motives have a depth or height from 0.4 to 15 mm.

5. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the two or more layers are applied individually by injection.

6. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the two or more layers are transparent.

7. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the geometric motives are made by engraving, graining or directly during the injection.

8. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide is covered by an external lens.

9. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide and the light source are housed in a housing.

10. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the geometric motives have a texturized surface.

11. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the geometric motives are recesses and protrusions made in the at least one surface.

12. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the geometric motives have a depth or height from 0.4 to 15 mm.

13. A method of manufacturing a lighting device comprising: providing a first layer; forming geometric motives in the first layer; providing a second layer injected directly to the geometric motives defining a first surface between the first and second layers.

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising: forming second geometric motives in the second layer, injecting a third layer directly to the second geometric motives, defining second surface between the third layer and the second layer.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the geometric motives are formed by engraving, graining or molding.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein a surface of the geometric motives is texturized.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the geometric motives are formed by engraving, graining or molding.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein a surface of the geometric motives is texturized.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] For a better understanding the above explanation and for the sole purpose of providing an example, some non-limiting drawings are included that schematically depict a practical embodiment.

[0046] Other features, advantages and details appear, by way of example only, in the following detailed description, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which:

[0047] FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of the lighting device of the present invention, according to a first embodiment;

[0048] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the lighting device of the present invention, according to a second embodiment;

[0049] FIG. 3 is a frontal view of a geometric motive within the lighting device of the present invention, according to an example;

[0050] FIG. 4, is a section view along line IV-IV shown in FIG. 3;

[0051] FIG. 5 is a cross-section view where the first injection phase of the first layer of the lighting device of the present invention is shown;

[0052] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view where the second injection phase of the second layer of the lighting device of the present invention is shown; and

[0053] FIG. 7 is a cross-section of an example of the lighting device of the present invention, where both layers have geometric motives.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The present disclosure relates to a lighting device, generally identified by reference numeral 1, comprising a light guide 2 and a light source 3, wherein the light source 3 illuminates the light guide 2. Both the light guide 2 and the light source 3 can be housed in a housing 4 and an external lens 5 can cover the light guide 2.

[0055] The light source 3 can be any suitable light source, such a LED or combination of LEDs, or the like.

[0056] The lighting device 1 according to the present disclosure is especially designed to be used in a vehicle. However, it is evident that it can be used in other applications.

[0057] According to a first embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, the light guide 2 is formed by two layers 21, 22 defining between them a surface 23, i.e. the common surface in contact between both layers 21, 22.

[0058] A plurality of geometric motives 24 are formed in the surface 23 for providing an optical effect when the light source 3 emits light and illuminates the light guide 2.

[0059] The geometric motives 24 are geometric shapes (such as stripes or any suitable shape) formed in the surface 23. For example, and as shown in FIG. 1, the geometric motives 24 are recesses and protrusions made in the surface 23.

[0060] Just as an example, the geometric motives 24 have a depth or height from 0.4 mm to 15 mm.

[0061] These geometric motives 24 can be made to the first layer, for example, during the same injection process or by engraving or graining, or by any suitable method, defining any texture or effect.

[0062] The light guide 2 is made by injection. For example, first injecting the first layer 21 with the geometric motives 24 (FIG. 5) and then the geometric motives in the first layer 21 are filled with the second layer 22, which is also injected (FIG. 6).

[0063] The light guide 2 is preferably transparent or colored with any suitable color, and it is usually made from any suitable plastic material. Each layer 21, 22 could be made with the same material or with different material.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the lighting device according to the present disclosure. For simplicity reason the same elements from the first embodiment are identified by the same numeral references and they are not further described.

[0065] The main difference in this second embodiment with respect the first embodiment is that the light guide 2 is made from three layers 21, 22, 25, defining two surfaces 23, 26 between two adjacent layers 21, 22 and 22, 25, respectively.

[0066] In this embodiment, the geometric motives 24 are formed in both surfaces 23, 26.

[0067] However, it must be pointed out that the geometric motives 24 could be formed only in one of the surfaces 23, 26.

[0068] In this case, the layers 21, 22, 25 are also sequentially injected, as described previously with respect to the first embodiment.

[0069] With the lighting device according to the present disclosure a 3D optical effect can be obtained by the geometric motives 24 formed directly in the surface(s) 23, 26 in contact between adjacent layers 21, 22, 25.

[0070] In FIGS. 3 and 4 an example of the lighting device according to the present disclosure is shown. According to this example, the geometric motives 24 form a letter N. In this example, the letter N has a height of 2 mm and a thickness of 6 mm.

[0071] Finally, FIG. 7 is a cross-section of another example of the lighting device of the present disclosure, where both layers have geometric motives.

[0072] Even though reference has been made to a specific embodiment of the disclosure, it is obvious for a person skilled in the art that the lighting device described herein is susceptible to numerous variations and modifications, and that all of the details mentioned can be substituted for other technically equivalent ones without departing from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.

[0073] While the above disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from its scope. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed but will include all embodiments falling within the scope thereof