Method For Producing A Light-Guiding Element, Light-Guiding Element, Illumination Element And Operating Element For A Vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a fiber optic element (102). An optical fiber (106) is coated at least in part with a transparent metal layer (108) by sputtering at least one metallic diffuser thereon.

Claims

1. A method for producing a fiber optic element, wherein an optical fiber is at least partially coated with a transparent metal layer by sputtering at least one metallic diffuser thereon in a coating step.

2. The method according to claim 1, in which the metal layer is designed to make the optical fiber reflective.

3. The method according to claim 1, in which a plastic element forming the optical fiber is coated in the coating step.

4. The method according to claim 1, in which the optical fiber is coated by magnetron sputtering of the diffuser thereon in the coating step.

5. The method according to claim 1, with a step for applying a protective layer to the metal layer.

6. The method according to claim 5, in a glass diffuser is applied to the metal layer by sputtering.

7. A fiber optic element with an optical fiber, to which a transparent metal layer is applied at least in part to by sputtering at least one metallic diffuser thereon.

8. A fiber optic element according to claim 7, in which the optical fiber has a core and a sheath that at least partially encompasses the core, wherein the core and the sheath have different optical properties, wherein the metal layer is applied to the sheath.

9. The fiber optic element according to claim 8, in which the core is designed to diffuse light more strongly than the sheath.

10. The fiber optic element according to claim 7, in which the optical fiber has a semispherical or semielliptical cross section, wherein the metal layer is applied to a curved section of the optical fiber.

11. A lighting element that has the following features: a fiber optic element according to claim 7; and a light source for bundling light beams in the fiber optic element.

12. A control element for a vehicle, wherein the control element has at least one lighting element according to claim 11.

13. The method according to claim 2, in which a plastic element forming the optical fiber is coated in the coating step.

14. The method according to claim 2, in which the optical fiber is coated by magnetron sputtering of the diffuser thereon in the coating step.

15. The method according to claim 3, in which the optical fiber is coated by magnetron sputtering of the diffuser thereon in the coating step.

16. The method according to claim 2, with a step for applying a protective layer to the metal layer.

17. The method according to claim 3, with a step for applying a protective layer to the metal layer.

18. The method according to claim 4, with a step for applying a protective layer to the metal layer.

19. The fiber optic element according to claim 8, in which the optical fiber has a semispherical or semielliptical cross section, wherein the metal layer is applied to a curved section of the optical fiber.

20. A lighting element that has the following features: a fiber optic element according to claim 8; and a light source for bundling light beams in the fiber optic element.

Description

[0023] The invention shall be explained in greater detail based on the attached drawings. Therein:

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a lighting element according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0025] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a control element according to an exemplary embodiment; and

[0026] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart for a method for producing a fiber optic element according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0027] In the following description of preferred exemplary embodiments, the same or similar reference symbols shall be used for the elements having similar functions shown in the various figures, wherein there shall be no repetition of the descriptions of these elements.

[0028] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a lighting element 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The lighting element 100 comprises a fiber optic element 102, illuminated by a light source 104, in this case a light emitting diode. According to this exemplary embodiment, the fiber optic element 102 is designed to diffuse the light beams 104 entering the fiber optic element 102 from the light source 104 such that an observer of the lighting element 100 has the impression that the lighting element 100 is incandescent, also referred to as having a ghost light effect. In order to obtain this effect, the fiber optic element 102 comprises an optical fiber 106, which is coated at least in sections by a transparent metal layer 108. The metal layer 108 is applied to the optical fiber 106 in a sputtering process, i.e. by sputtering a corresponding metallic diffuser thereon, in particular through magnetron sputtering. As a result, the metal layer 108 is thin enough that a certain portion of the light beams 105 conducted by the optical fiber 106 are transmitted by the metal layer 108. Depending on the material used for the diffuser, the metal layer 108 resembles a strongly reflective chrome plating after the sputtering.

[0029] According to this exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber 106 has a flat base, in which the light from the light source 104 is bundled. On a side opposite the base, the optical fiber 106 has a curved surface, which can be seen at least in part by an observer when the lighting element 100 is installed.

[0030] Alternatively, the metal layer 108 is applied in order to obtain a matte or brushed appearance of the component. In doing so, surface defects are to be prevented as much as possible in the optical fiber 106, because these stand out after the sputtering.

[0031] According to this exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber 106 is a composite of two sub-sections with different diffusing properties, taking the form of a core 110 and a sheath 112 that partially encompasses the core, wherein the core 110 is made of a strongly diffusing substance, and the sheath 112 is made of a less strongly diffusing substance. Depending on the exemplary embodiment, the core 110 and the sheath 112 may also differ from one another regarding other optical properties. By way of example, the core 110 and the sheath are formed from different plastics in an injection molding process. Alternatively, the optical fiber 106 can also be formed as a single element made of plastic or some other suitable transparent material.

[0032] The actual light core of the lighting element 100 is thus a strongly diffusing material, which is coated with a material that has little or no diffusing properties, in order to form the sheath 112. The sputtering layer 108 is then applied thereto. If the structure is backlit by the light source 104, the central core 110 will be very bright, and the sheath 112 will generate a light veil, or no light at all. The ghost light effect is then obtained in conjunction with the metallic appearance of the metal layer 108.

[0033] By way of example, the optical fiber 106 according to FIG. 1 has a semispherical cross section, wherein the metal layer 108 is applied to a curved section of the optical fiber 106. The curved section is a side of the lighting element 100 facing the observer. The light source 104 is located opposite a flat section of the core 110, which likewise has a semispherical cross section. The flat section of the core 110 and the flat section of the sheath 112 adjoining this section have no metal coating.

[0034] Alternatively, the optical fiber 106 may have a semielliptical cross section, depending on the application, or it may have a cross section with some other geometrical shape.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a control element 200 according to an exemplary embodiment. The control element 200 for a vehicle 202, in this case a gearshift lever, comprises the lighting element 100, this being a lighting element like that described above in reference to FIG. 1. Depending on the exemplary embodiment, numerous lighting elements 100 can also be integrated in the control element 200. The lighting element 100 is integrated in the control element 200 such that the section of the lighting element 100 coated with the sputtered metal layer is part of a surface of the control element 200, or is flush thereto. The lighting element 100 displays light symbols on the control element 200 or illuminates the control element 200 on the whole, or sections of the control element 200 by means of a suitable lighting effect, which may vary, depending on the design of the optical fiber or the metal layer. By way of example, a knob 204 of the control element 200 in the form of a gearshift lever can be formed entirely or in part by the lighting element 100 or numerous different lighting elements 100.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a flow chart for a method 300 for producing a fiber optic element according to an exemplary embodiment, such as a fiber optic element described above in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. In step 310, an optical fiber is at least partially coated in an appropriate sputtering process with the transparent metal layer.

[0037] According to one exemplary embodiment, a protective layer is applied to the metal layer in an optional step 320 after the sputtering. According to one exemplary embodiment, the protective layer is applied to the metal layer by sputtering a glass diffuser in the form of a glass layer.

[0038] According to one exemplary embodiment, the step 310 comprises the following sequential sub-steps.

[0039] First, a substrate that is to be sputtered, i.e. the optical fiber, is pre-cleaned in an ultrasound bath at 60 C. in a pH neutral cleaning solution, and subsequently rinsed in ultrapure water.

[0040] The substrate is subsequently cured in a high-vacuum chamber. The heater remains at a specific temperature during the entire coating process, such that the substrate is also heated.

[0041] The surface of the substrate is then activated by a sputtering etcher, and lightly etched. The substrate rotates thereby at a rotational rate of two revolutions per minute.

[0042] Subsequently, a chrome plating is generated using a magnetron sputtering source.

[0043] Lastly, a post-curing takes place for approximately 20 minutes.

[0044] One advantage of this method is that geometries can also be obtained therewith, that could not be obtained with a comparably transparent IML reverse film injection, or could only be obtained with a great deal of difficulty. By way of example, small radii and greater component depths and surface angles can be coated therewith.

[0045] Moreover, a glass sputtering may take place in step 320, after the metal sputtering. In this case, a glass layer is applied to the substrate in a sputtering process similar to that in step 310. In contrast to an abrasion resistant lacquer, such a glass layer offers the advantage of a better abrasion resistance and better chemical resistance to suntan lotion or similar chemicals. There is also the further advantage that the glass layer can be applied by means of sputtering to sharp-edged and strongly deformed surfaces, while an abrasion resistant lacquer tends to run in sharper angles.

[0046] The method 300 makes it possible to generate new optical effects on different shapes, e.g. a so-called ghost light effect. The observer looks at the outside of the metallic surface of the fiber optic element thereby. When the fiber optic element is illuminated, the observer sees an inner incandescence due to the light transmission of the sputtered surface. This incandescence does not originate directly in the surface, where the sputtering layer is applied, but instead comes from a light core of the system located deeper in the interior.

REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0047] 100 lighting element [0048] 102 fiber optic element [0049] 104 light source [0050] 105 light beams [0051] 106 optical fiber [0052] 108 metal layer [0053] 110 core [0054] 112 sheath [0055] 200 control element [0056] 202 vehicle [0057] 204 knob [0058] 300 method for producing a fiber optic element [0059] 310 coating step [0060] 320 applications step