CN115257532A - Automobile interior part and automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an automobile interior part, which is arranged in an automobile interior space, characterized in that the automobile interior part comprises: a light source including at least two rows of light emitting cells arranged side by side along a second direction, each of the rows of light emitting cells having a plurality of light emitting cells arranged successively along a first direction, the second direction being oriented transverse to the first direction; a light-transmissive trim disposed toward an interior space of the vehicle and allowing light emitted by the light source to pass therethrough; and a light guide member including at least two light guides arranged side by side in the second direction, each light guide being associated with a corresponding one of the light emitting unit rows, wherein each light guide is disposed between the associated light emitting unit row and the light-transmissive trim, respectively, to transmit light emitted from the associated light emitting unit row to the light-transmissive trim, respectively. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle.

Description

Automobile interior part and automobile

Technical Field

The invention relates to an automobile interior part and an automobile.

Background

With the development of intellectualization and automation of automobile interior trim, the requirements for atmosphere/functional light on the intelligent surface in the automobile are greatly improved. Through cool and dazzling light effect, luxurious feeling and technological feeling of the cabin can be further improved, and better driving experience is achieved.

In traditional intelligent surface light-emitting scheme, the light effect that is limited to luminous region moves the direction and the unanimous principle of the direction that the backlight was arranged, and the colour of lamp effect often can only change along with the light effect change of single row of lamp pearl.

In the existing direct type backlight scheme, referring to fig. 14a, due to the requirement of setting the distance H between the lamp beads 101 and the light emitting surface 102, when the adjacent lamp beads 101 irradiate light of different colors onto the light emitting surface 102, an inevitably obvious light overlapping portion 103 occurs, and the large-scale light overlapping portion 103 forms a fuzzy and uncontrollable boundary on the light emitting surface 102, so that a clear dynamic light effect in the width direction (i.e. in the direction perpendicular to the light overlapping portion 102) cannot be realized, especially in the case of a small width. However, in the conventional light guiding scheme, referring to fig. 14b, the single light guiding body 104 itself can only transmit the light emitted from the single light bead 101 to the light emitting surface 102, and thus cannot achieve the effect of mixing and gradually changing multiple light colors, for example, in the width direction. Therefore, at present, it is difficult to achieve the effect of multicolor light emission particularly in a small light-emitting surface area.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a motor vehicle interior component and a motor vehicle, by means of which at least one of the above-mentioned technical problems occurring in the prior art can be solved.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automobile interior part provided in an automobile interior space, characterized by comprising:

a light source including at least two light emitting cell rows arranged side by side along a second direction, each of the light emitting cell rows having a plurality of light emitting cells arranged successively along a first direction, the second direction being oriented transverse to the first direction;

a light-transmissive trim disposed toward an interior space of the vehicle and allowing light emitted by the light source to pass therethrough; and

and a light guide member including at least two light guides arranged side by side in the second direction, each light guide being associated with a corresponding one of the light emitting unit rows, wherein each light guide is disposed between the associated light emitting unit row and the light-transmissive trim so as to transmit light emitted from the associated light emitting unit row to the light-transmissive trim, respectively.

Technical effects that can be achieved by automotive interior components include, but are not limited to: by applying the separated light guide scheme, the effect of colorful light emission in a small light emitting surface area can be achieved.

Advantageously, the automobile interior part includes a light uniformizing film for uniformizing light emitted from the light source, the light uniformizing film being disposed between the light-transmitting garnish and the light guide member.

Advantageously, the distance of the light homogenizing film from the light guide element is arranged to be adjustable.

Advantageously, the vehicle interior component comprises a housing having a bottom wall and side walls extending transversely to the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the side walls of the housing enclosing an accommodation space in which the light source is accommodated.

Advantageously, the vehicle interior component includes a partition having at least one partition wall that partitions the accommodation space into a plurality of sub accommodation spaces at least in the second direction, each of the light emitting cell rows being accommodated in the corresponding sub accommodation space, respectively.

Advantageously, the partition has a bottom wall extending transversely to the partition wall, which bottom wall of the partition rests against the bottom wall of the housing in the mounted state.

Advantageously, at least two hole rows, which are arranged one above the other in the installed state and are assigned to the light-emitting unit rows in the respective sub-accommodation spaces, are provided in each case on the bottom wall of the partition and on the bottom wall of the housing, wherein the holes of the hole rows can be penetrated by a tool in order to detach the light-emitting unit rows from the sub-accommodation spaces.

Advantageously, the lighting units can be individually and/or group-wise adjusted in their on-state and/or light color and/or light intensity and/or dynamic effect.

Advantageously, an air gap is provided between adjacent light guiding bodies, or a coating layer for enhancing total internal reflection of the light guiding body is coated on a side of the light guiding body facing the adjacent light guiding body.

Advantageously, at least one of the rows of light-emitting cells is formed end-to-end.

Advantageously, each of the light-guiding bodies faces the associated row of light-emitting units with its one end face and faces the light-transmissive trim with its other end face, respectively, so as to form a respective light-emitting region on the light-transmissive trim, the light-emitting regions being arranged side by side and being at least partially illuminable in the first direction and/or the second direction.

Advantageously, each of said light emitting regions together cover substantially the entire light transmissive trim.

Advantageously, the vehicle interior component is arranged on a center console, a door panel, an instrument panel, a vehicle roof and/or a seat of the vehicle.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an automobile is provided with the automobile interior part of the invention.

Advantages of the respective embodiments, as well as various additional embodiments, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of the respective embodiments, and by referring to the drawings listed below.

Drawings

The invention is further illustrated with reference to the following figures and examples, in which:

figure 1 schematically shows an automobile interior component according to an embodiment of the invention integrated on a smart device in an automobile interior space,

figure 2 schematically shows in perspective the smart device of figure 1 integrated with automotive interior components,

figure 3 schematically shows in an exploded view the smart device of figure 2 together with the components of the interior parts of the car,

fig. 4 schematically shows a light-transmitting trim, a light-homogenizing film, a light guide element, a light source of an automobile interior part integrated in a smart device, respectively, in a manner of gradually concealing parts from left to right,

figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of a partition of the automotive interior component of figure 2,

figure 6 is a schematic front view of the partition and the housing of the automotive interior component of figure 2 in the mounted state,

figure 7 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the smart device of figure 2 with integrated automotive interior components,

figure 8a is a schematic perspective view of the automotive interior component of figure 2,

figure 8b is a schematic longitudinal section of the smart device of figure 2 at an integrated car interior part,

figure 8c is a schematic longitudinal section view of the smart device of figure 2 at one side of the light guide element of the integrated automotive interior part,

figure 9a schematically shows the course of the light beam in the interior part of the car in figure 2,

figure 9b schematically shows in an enlarged scale the course of the light beam in one side of the car interior part in figure 2,

fig. 10 schematically shows in the following representation a schematic longitudinal section through the smart device of fig. 2 at the integrated vehicle interior part, and in the above representation three light-emitting zones on the light-transmitting trim,

fig. 11a to 11c schematically show a schematic longitudinal section view of the smart device in fig. 2 at one side of the integrated automobile interior part in the lower diagram and a part of the three light emitting areas on the light-transmitting trim in the upper diagram, respectively, wherein no light homogenizing film is provided in fig. 11a, the distance of the light homogenizing film from the light guide element is smaller in fig. 11b, the distance of the light homogenizing film from the light guide element is larger in fig. 11c,

figures 12a and 12b each show an example of the use of circumferential illumination in a single light emitting zone,

figures 13a and 13b respectively show an example of the use of radial illumination in a plurality of light emitting zones,

FIG. 14a is a schematic diagram of a direct type backlight scheme according to the prior art, an

Fig. 14b is a schematic illustration of a light guiding scheme according to the prior art.

Detailed Description

Various illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. In the description, various systems, structures and devices are schematically depicted in the drawings for purposes of explanation only and so as to not describe all features of the actual systems, structures and devices, such as well-known functions or structures, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention in unnecessary detail. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such implementation decisions, while complex and time consuming, are nevertheless routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The terms and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted to have a meaning consistent with the understanding of those terms and phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. No special definition of a term or phrase, i.e., a definition that is different from the ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in the art, is intended to be implied by consistent usage of the term or phrase herein. To the extent that a term or phrase is intended to have a special meaning, i.e., a meaning other than that understood by skilled artisans, such a special definition will be expressly set forth in the specification in a definitional manner that directly and unequivocally provides the special definition for the term or phrase.

Throughout the following description, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be interpreted in an open, inclusive sense, i.e., as "including but not limited to".

Throughout the description of the specification, references to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "an example," "a specific example," or "some examples" or the like, mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Furthermore, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first," "second," etc. may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" means two or more unless specifically defined otherwise.

In the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly stated or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," "coupled," "connected," "secured," and the like are to be construed broadly and may, for example, be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected; they may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations by those of ordinary skill in the art.

In the following description of the drawings, like reference numerals designate similar or identical elements throughout the several views and the description thereof. Furthermore, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the invention. For supplementary aspects of the teaching that can be directly recognized from the figures, reference is made to the relevant prior art. It is to be noted herein that various modifications and changes in form and detail with respect to the embodiments may be made without departing from the general concept of the present invention.

The automotive interior part 1 of the present invention may be disposed as an automotive interior part in an automotive interior space I (see fig. 1), and may be controllably illuminated to produce various cool light effects (i.e., optical effects or optical effects).

The automotive interior part 1 of the invention is described in the following by way of example in connection with the embodiment schematically illustrated in fig. 1 to 13 b. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the vehicle interior component 1 can be designed in the form of a light ring assembly which is formed in an annular overall shape. In other embodiments, however, the vehicle interior component 1 can in principle be designed in the form of any other shape, for example a pentagram, a square, a trapezoid, or a profiled shape, etc.

Referring to fig. 1, a motor vehicle can be provided with a smart device 2 (which is present in itself, for example) on its center console or on a center console FC, which smart device 2 can have a smart surface 3 facing the interior I of the motor vehicle. The smart device 2 may implement functions of proximity sensing, touch, feedback, etc. through its smart surface 3. The inventive vehicle interior component 1 can additionally be integrated as part of the smart device 2 in order to add functionality to the smart surface 3, i.e. to be able to produce cool, static and/or dynamic light effects locally on the smart surface 3. It is of course also conceivable for the vehicle interior component 1 according to the invention to be integrated separately or additionally on other components in the vehicle interior or to be arranged at any other location in the vehicle interior I, for example on the vehicle roof, behind the seats, on the inside of the vehicle doors, etc.

Referring to fig. 2, the vehicle interior component 1 can engage in the smart device 2 in a substantially central position. The outer surface of the smart device 2 and the outer surface 4 of the automotive interior component 1 may be substantially in one plane and may together form a broad smart surface 3 that may be viewed or manipulated by a user.

Referring to fig. 3, the smart device 2 may have a housing 5 which may comprise an outer half-shell 6 with a smart surface 3 facing the vehicle interior I and an inner half-shell 7 which is not visible away from the vehicle interior I. The outer half shell 6 and the inner half shell 7 can be connected to each other to form the housing 5, and components originally used for the functions of proximity sensing, touching, feedback, etc., as well as the inventive vehicle interior component 1 can be accommodated and fixed in the housing 5. The smart device 2 can also have a PCB board 8 (printed circuit board) on the rear side of the inner half shell 7 for supplying power to these components and the vehicle interior 1 or for controlling them. The outer half-shell 6, the inner half-shell 7 and the PCB board 8 may form a sandwich mechanism and may be provided with a circular central through hole 9 at their substantially central position. In the present embodiment, the central through hole 9 may be fitted by the automobile interior part 1 configured as a light emitting bezel assembly.

Referring to fig. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8a and 8b, the vehicle interior component 1 may have an annular housing 10. The vehicle interior component 1 can be inserted with its housing 10 into the central opening 9 of the smart device 2.

The housing 10 can have an annular bottom wall 11 extending transversely to the longitudinal axis L, which bottom wall 11 can be arranged remote from the vehicle interior I. A plurality of hole rows, in this case 3 hole rows, may be provided on the bottom wall 11, each hole row having a plurality of through holes 12, in this case 8 through holes 12, arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction (see fig. 3 and 6). The number of rows of holes and the number of through holes 12 per row of holes are not limited, provided that they enable the function of facilitating the removal of the light strip 27, as will be explained below.

The housing 10 may have an inner circumferential wall 13, which inner circumferential wall 13 may extend from radially inside the bottom wall 11 perpendicularly to the bottom wall 11 toward the vehicle interior I. The inner circumferential wall 13 may define a central through hole of the housing 10. The housing 10 can have an outer circumferential wall 14, which outer circumferential wall 14 can extend from the radially outer side of the bottom wall 11 perpendicularly to the bottom wall 11 toward the vehicle interior I. The bottom wall 11, the inner circumferential wall 13 and the outer circumferential wall 14 of the housing 10 can jointly enclose an annular receiving space 15, which receiving space 15 can be open toward the vehicle interior I. The height of the outer peripheral wall 14 may be greater than the height of the inner peripheral wall 13 (see fig. 7), but this is not essential, and the height of the outer peripheral wall 14 may also be less than or equal to the height of the inner peripheral wall 13 according to the specific structural adaptation requirements. The inner peripheral wall 13 and the outer peripheral wall 14 of the housing 10 may be configured as side walls of the housing 10.

The housing 10 may have a connecting flange 16, which connecting flange 16 may extend radially outward from the top or free end of the peripheral wall 14, transversely to the peripheral wall 14. The connecting flange 16 can have a plurality, in this case 3, of threaded bores 17 arranged in succession in its circumferential direction. The inner half shell 7 and the PCB board 8 of the smart device 2 may be provided with holes corresponding to these threaded holes 17, so that the housing 10 and the inner half shell 7 and the PCB board 8 may be screwed to each other to fix the automobile interior part 1 to the smart device 2. The housing 10 may have a recess 18 in its connecting flange 16 and the peripheral wall 14, which recess 18 may communicate the receiving space 15 of the housing 10 with the environment outside the housing 10.

Referring to fig. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8b, the automobile interior component 1 may have a partition 19, and the partition 19 may have an annular structure (see fig. 5) and may be accommodated in the accommodation space 15 of the housing 10 (see fig. 6).

The partition 19 can have an annular bottom wall 20, which bottom wall 20 can be arranged remote from the vehicle interior I and can rest against the bottom wall 11 of the housing 10. The bottom wall 20 may be provided with a plurality of hole rows, here 3 hole rows, each of which may have a plurality of through holes 21, here 8 through holes 21, arranged one after the other in the circumferential direction. The through-openings 21 of the radially outermost row of holes can be arranged on the outer periphery of the bottom wall 20 and can be formed as radially outwardly open cutouts, the through-openings 21 of the radially innermost row of holes can be arranged on the inner periphery of the bottom wall 20 and can be formed as radially inwardly open cutouts, and the through-openings 21 of the middle row of holes can be formed as through-penetrating circular holes. The rows of holes on the bottom wall 20 of the partition 19 and the rows of holes on the bottom wall 11 of the housing 10 may correspond to each other in terms of position and size, so that the rows of holes on the bottom wall 20 of the partition 19 and the rows of holes on the bottom wall 11 of the housing 10 may coincide with each other in the mounted state.

The partition 19 can have an inner circumferential wall 22, which inner circumferential wall 22 can extend from the bottom wall 20 perpendicularly to the bottom wall 20 toward the vehicle interior I, and which inner circumferential wall 22 can be arranged between the radially innermost row of holes and the middle row of holes. The partition 19 can have an outer circumferential wall 23, which outer circumferential wall 23 can extend from the bottom wall 20 perpendicularly to the bottom wall 20 toward the vehicle interior I. The outer peripheral wall 23 may be disposed radially outward of the inner peripheral wall 22, and may be disposed between the radially outermost row of holes and the middle row of holes. The heights of the inner circumferential wall 22 and the outer circumferential wall 23 of the partition 19 may be smaller than the heights of the inner circumferential wall 13 and the outer circumferential wall 14 of the housing 10 (see fig. 7).

Referring to fig. 6, in the mounted state, the inner circumferential wall 22 and the outer circumferential wall 23 of the partition 19 may be disposed between the inner circumferential wall 13 and the outer circumferential wall 14 of the housing 10, and may partition the accommodation space 15 into 3 sub-accommodation spaces 24 in the radial direction, each sub-accommodation space 24 may be opened toward the vehicle interior space I. The inner circumferential wall 22 and the outer circumferential wall 23 of the partition 19 can also be constructed as partition walls. The number and structure of the sub-receiving spaces 24 in the present embodiment are merely exemplary. In some exemplary embodiments, the separating element 19 can have more or less than two circumferential walls 22, 23 or separating walls, so that the receiving space 15 of the housing 10 can be divided into more or less than 3 sub-receiving spaces 24. In some embodiments, instead of the annular sub-receiving space 24 which is continuous in the circumferential direction, an arc-shaped sub-receiving space 24 which is discontinuous in the circumferential direction may be provided. In some embodiments, instead of sub-receiving spaces 24 having the same width in the radial direction, sub-receiving spaces 24 having different widths in the radial direction may be partitioned.

Referring to fig. 3, 4, 7 and 8b, the automobile interior part 1 may have a light source 25, and the light source 25 may include a plurality of light emitting units 26. The respective light emitting units 26 can be controlled to emit light. These light-emitting units 26 may form a plurality, here three, rows of light-emitting units arranged side by side in the width direction, here in the radial direction, each row of light-emitting units may comprise a plurality of light-emitting units 26 arranged one behind the other in the predetermined first direction, here in the circumferential direction. The term "first direction" is understood to mean the course of the light-emitting units 26 of each light-emitting unit row, which may be, for example, a straight course or a zigzag course, a circular (in this embodiment) or parabolic course, or a meandering or serpentine course, or a combination thereof, etc. In principle, the first direction can have any course, as long as the light-emitting units 26 are arranged one behind the other along the course. In addition, the first direction is not limited to only one direction, that is, the arrangement directions of the light emitting cells 26 of the respective light emitting cell rows may be different from each other, for example, not parallel to each other. The second direction (in this embodiment, the radial direction) in which the rows of light-emitting units are arranged side by side may be transverse to the first direction (in this embodiment, the circumferential direction) in which the light-emitting units 26 of a single row of light-emitting units are arranged one after the other, or both may be angled.

The individual lighting units 26 in each row of lighting units may be connected to each other in series by power and signal lines (not shown) to form a light strip 27. Each row of lighting units may thus be embedded in one of the sub-receiving spaces 24, respectively, in the form of a light strip 27. In this embodiment, the light emitting units 26 on each light strip 27 may together form a ring, so that an end-to-end effect can be achieved. The distance between each two adjacent lighting units 26 on the same strip 27 may be the same as each other and may also be the same as the other strips 27. The different light strips 27 may be connected in series by the same power and signal lines. In this embodiment, three light strips 27 may be connected in series with each other by two common power lines and one common signal line. Power and signal lines may be routed out through the cutout 18 of the housing 10 onto the PCB board 8. The height of the light strips 27 may substantially correspond to the height of the inner and outer circumferential walls 22, 23 of the partition 19 (see fig. 7), so that adjacent light strips 27 may be radially spaced apart by the inner and outer circumferential walls 22, 23 of the partition 19 over substantially their entire height, thereby preventing light emitted by adjacent light strips 27 from mixing into each other.

The light emitting unit 26 may include an LED and a controller, such as a flexible circuit board (FPC), provided to the LED. The light-emitting cells 26 can thus be controllably adjusted with respect to their on-state and/or light color and/or light intensity and/or dynamic effects. The individual lighting units 26 may be adjusted independently of one another, or a plurality of lighting units 26 may be adjusted together in groups.

At least some of the luminous elements 26 can be designed in the form of RGB chips, and the individual luminous elements 26 can be individually controlled in terms of their light intensity and/or their on state and/or their light color by a general control device, for example the PCB 8. The lighting units 26 on the light strip 27 can thereby be illuminated differently, point by point or segment by segment, with regard to the luminous intensity and/or their light color and/or their on-state.

It is thus possible, for example, to configure a one-dimensional dynamic light effect in length by correspondingly actuating the respective lighting units 26 on the same strip 27 with respect to their luminous intensity and/or their on-state and/or their light color, such that the light segments or light points are moved over the length or in the circumferential direction of each strip 27. In addition, the respective lighting units 26 on the different strips 27 can be controlled in relation to their luminous intensity and/or their on-state and/or their light color, so that the light segments or light spots are moved in the width direction or radial direction of at least two strips 27 to form a one-dimensional dynamic light effect in width. It is of course also conceivable to move the light segments or light spots not only in the longitudinal direction or in the circumferential direction of the individual strips 27, but also in the width direction or in the radial direction of the different strips 27, so that a two-dimensional dynamic light effect is formed in the longitudinal direction and in the width direction. These dynamic lighting effects increase the cool effect on the one hand and the comfort and safety of the occupants on the other hand.

The above-mentioned through holes 12, 21 of the hole rows of the housing 10 and the partition 19 may be located at the bottom of the sub-receiving space 24, respectively. Therefore, when the light strip 27 needs to be removed from the sub-receiving space 24 for repair or replacement of the light strip 27, since the light strip 27 is relatively tightly caught in the sub-receiving space 24, a tool, such as a screwdriver, can be inserted into the above-mentioned coincident through holes 12, 21 of the housing 10 and the partition 19 one by one from the back side of the housing 10 and press the light strip 27 outward, so that the light strip 27 can be taken out from each sub-receiving space 24 without damage. Thus, the through holes 12, 21 can function to facilitate removal of the light strip 27.

Referring to fig. 2, 3, 4, 7, 8a and 8b, the automobile interior part 1 may have a light-transmissive trim 28, which trim 28 may be made of a light-transmissive material and may allow light emitted by the light source 25 to be irradiated into the automobile interior space I after being transmitted therethrough. In this embodiment, referring to fig. 3, the light-transmissive garnish 28 may be configured in the shape of a circular ring. Referring to fig. 7, the light-transmissive trim 28 may be provided with a snap recess at its circumferential exterior and the outer half-shell 6 of the smart device 2 may be provided with a snap projection at its circumferential interior, or vice versa. The light-transmissive trim 28 and the outer half-shell 6 of the smart device 2 can snap into each other with the snap recess and the snap projection. Other means of attachment of the two are of course also conceivable, such as gluing or screwing.

The radial width (or cross-sectional width) of the light-transmissive trim 28 may be substantially equal to (in this embodiment), greater than, or less than the radial width (or cross-sectional width) of the light source 25 or all of the light strips 27. The inner diameter of the light-transmissive trim 28 may be smaller than (in this embodiment), equal to or larger than the inner diameter of the light source 25 or the radially innermost strip 27, and the outer diameter of the light-transmissive trim 28 may be smaller than (in this embodiment), equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the strip 27 or the radially outermost strip 27. The above size comparison is not mandatory, but can be adjusted accordingly according to actual requirements.

Referring to fig. 3, 4, 7 and 8b, the automobile interior part 1 may have a light guide element, which may be disposed between the light-transmissive trim 28 and the light source 25, and may serve to transmit light emitted from the light source 25 toward the light-transmissive trim 28. The light guide element may have a plurality of light guides 29, here 3 ring-shaped light guides 29. The light guides 29 may be arranged side by side in the radial direction, corresponding to the arrangement of the light strips 27. Each light guide 29 can be assigned to a respective light strip 27 and can be arranged between the light-transmitting decoration 28 and the respective assigned light strip 27. Each light guide 29 may be aligned with its lower end face with the upper end face of the associated light strip 27. The respective light guide bodies 29 may be aligned together with the upper end faces thereof with the lower surfaces of the light-transmissive trim 28 and cover the light-transmissive trim 28 over substantially the entire width, so that the light of the light source 25 can be irradiated into substantially the entire light-transmissive trim 28 by these light guide bodies 29.

Referring to fig. 9a and 9b, each light guide 29 can guide and transmit the light emitted by the associated light strip 27 in each case by means of the principle of total internal reflection to the light-transmitting trim 28, which can then emerge via the light-transmitting trim 28 into the vehicle interior I and be viewed by the occupants.

Referring to fig. 8c and 9b, adjacent light guiding bodies 29 may be spaced apart from each other by a distance to form an air gap 30. Due to the presence of the air gap 30, light guided in one light guide 29 does not enter into an adjacent light guide 29 to cause mixing of light. In addition to the provision of the air gap 30, a total reflection coating may also be applied to the side of the light guide 29, for example, the side facing the adjacent light guide 29, in order to reduce as much as possible the light exiting from the light guide 29 in the lateral direction. Referring to fig. 9a and 9b, the light beams L1, L2 and L3 emitted by the three light strips 27, after being guided and transmitted via the respectively associated light guide 29, can emerge from the respective positions of the light-transmissive trim 28, each independently of the other.

In the present embodiment, since the diameters (inner and outer diameters) of the light-transmitting trim 28 are smaller than the diameters (inner and outer diameters) of the light sources 25, each light guide body 29 may be correspondingly disposed with its upper portion inclined radially inward with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the automobile interior 1 to guide the light emitted from each light strip 27 to the corresponding position on the light-transmitting trim 28. Similarly, if the diameter of the light-transmissive trim 28 is equal to or larger than the diameter of the light source 25, each light guide 29 may be disposed to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis L or to be inclined radially outward with its upper portion with respect to the longitudinal axis L. In summary, the light guiding body 29 itself may form any corresponding angle with the longitudinal axis L as the case may be, and it is important that both ends of each light guiding body 29 can be directed to corresponding positions of the associated light strip 27 and light-transmissive decoration 28, respectively, so as to transmit the light emitted from the light strip 27 to the corresponding positions of the light-transmissive decoration 28. Further, the light guide body 29 may extend straight between the light strip 27 and the light-transmissive trim 28 in the present embodiment, but the light guide body 29 may also extend curved between the light strip 27 and the light-transmissive trim 28 in other embodiments, which can further increase the degree of freedom in design and installation of these components.

In general, the diameter of the light strip 27 may be designed fixedly, for example for cost reasons, whereas in the case of a larger or smaller area to be illuminated by the light-transmissive trim 28, a light-transmissive trim 28 with a larger or smaller diameter may be provided, while the light guide 29 may change its inclination or bending state accordingly as the size of the light-transmissive trim 28 changes. That is, the inclination or bending state of the light guide 29 may be adjusted according to the dimensional relationship and the positional relationship between the light-transmissive trim 28 and the light strip 27, so that the light emitted from the light strip 27 is transmitted to the corresponding position of the light-transmissive trim 28.

Referring to fig. 10, three narrow light emitting regions a, B, and C arranged side by side, which may be independent of each other and well-defined in boundaries, may be formed on the light-transmissive trim 28 from radially inside to radially outside, respectively, by three light strips and the light guide 29 respectively provided. Each light emitting area a, B, C is capable of being at least partially illuminated (in fig. 10, by example fully illuminated). "illuminated" is to be understood here in a broad sense as a change in light intensity and/or on state and/or light color. Each light emitting area a, B, C and the respectively provided light strip 27 and light guide 29 are indicated by the same hatching in fig. 10, while the different light emitting areas a, B, C and the respectively provided light strip 27 and light guide 29 are indicated by different hatching in fig. 10 in order to distinguish them from each other. It can be seen that the light emitted by the three light strips 27 arranged radially next to one another can be emitted next to one another on the light-transmitting trim 28 on the basis of the respectively associated light guides 29 which are likewise arranged next to one another and can be seen by the occupant.

Referring to fig. 3, 4, 7 and 8b, the automobile interior part 1 may have a light unifying film 31 for making light uniform, and the light unifying film 31 may be disposed between the light guide member and the light-transmissive trim 28. The light emitted from each light guide 29 can enter the light-transmitting trim 28 after being homogenized by the light homogenizing film 31. The light uniformizing film 31 may be provided on the surface of the light-transmitting garnish 28 facing the light guide 29, for example, in the form of a coating.

Fig. 11a to 11c show the influence of different arrangement modes of the light uniformizing film 31 on the light effect. In the case shown in fig. 11a, the automotive interior part 1 is not provided with the light uniformizing film 31. Due to the presence of the air gap 30 between the light guide members 29, dark regions 32, i.e., regions to which light cannot be applied, are also present between the respective light-emitting regions a, B, C displayed on the light-transmissive trim 28. In the situation shown in fig. 11b, the automotive interior part 1 is provided with a light homogenizing film 31, and the light homogenizing film 31 has a small distance from the light guide element or lies substantially against the light guide element. In this case, although the air gap 30 exists between the light guide bodies 29, the dark area 32 hardly exists between the respective light-emitting areas a, B, C displayed on the light-transmitting ornament 28 based on the light-uniformizing action of the light-uniformizing film 31, that is, the respective light-emitting areas a, B, C can substantially abut on each other. In the situation shown in fig. 11c, the automotive interior part 1 is provided with a light homogenizing film 31, and the light homogenizing film 31 has a large distance from the light guide element. In this case, although the air gap 30 exists between the light guide members 29, not only the dark region 32 does not exist between the light emitting regions a, B, and C displayed on the light-transmitting garnish 28 due to the light uniformizing action of the light uniformizing film 31 and the large distance between the light uniformizing film 31 and the light guide members, but also the light overlapping regions or light mixing regions M1 and M2 may exist between the light emitting regions a, B, and C. Each light mixing region M1, M2 may be formed by mixing light of two adjacent light emitting regions a, B, C with each other. By changing the distance between the light uniformizing film 31 and the light guide element, the widths of the light mixing regions M1, M2 between the light emitting regions a, B, C can be controllably adjusted. Furthermore, it is also conceivable to arrange the distance between the light homogenizing film 31 and the light guide element to be adjustable by the occupant during use, for example stepwise or steplessly, so as to be adjusted by the occupant at any time according to his personal taste. For this purpose, for example, the light-transmitting trim 28 (on which the light-homogenizing film 31 may be provided) and/or the light guide member may be provided so as to be axially movable. This can, on the one hand, satisfy different preferences of the occupants, and, on the other hand, the stepwise or stepless adjustment of the light-mixing regions M1, M2 themselves can also form part of the cool glare effect.

In the application example of the vehicle interior 1 shown in fig. 12a and 12B, the vehicle interior 1 can be used to illuminate at least in sections in a single light-emitting region B in a circumferential direction, statically or dynamically. In fig. 12a, two arc-shaped light segments 33, 34 with angles α and β, respectively, can be illuminated locally in the light emitting area B. In fig. 12B, a further curved light segment 35 with an angle γ can be illuminated dynamically or statically in the clockwise direction in addition from the illuminated curved light segment 33 with an angle α in the light emitting zone B.

In the application example of the automotive interior part 1 shown in fig. 13a and 13B, the automotive interior part 1 can be used for radial illumination in a plurality of light-emitting zones a, B, C. In fig. 13a, the three light segments 36, 37, 38 may be dynamically illuminated sequentially in a radially outward direction D1 or sequentially in a radially inward direction D2 over a portion of the three light emitting areas a, B, C. Other illumination sequences are also contemplated, such as illuminating the light segment 37 first, then illuminating the light segments 36, 38 sequentially or simultaneously, or illuminating the light segments 36, 38 sequentially or simultaneously, then illuminating the light emitting region 37, and so forth. In fig. 13a, the arc length of the illuminated light segments 38, 37, 36 becomes progressively shorter radially inwards.

In fig. 13b, unlike that shown in fig. 13a, the arc length of the illuminated light segments 38, 37, 36 becomes progressively longer radially inward. The three light segments 36, 37, 38 may be dynamically illuminated sequentially in a radially outward direction D4 or sequentially in a radially inward direction D3 over a portion of the three light emitting areas a, B, C. Other illumination sequences are also contemplated, such as illuminating the light segment 37 first, then illuminating the light segments 36, 38 sequentially or simultaneously, or illuminating the light segments 36, 38 sequentially or simultaneously, then illuminating the light emitting region 37, and so forth.

It is also conceivable to combine the application examples of fig. 12a, 12b and fig. 13a, 13b in any desired manner, whereby two-dimensional dynamic effects in two directions transverse to one another, here in the circumferential direction and in the radial direction, can be formed. The above-mentioned partial illumination of the light-transmissive trim 28 can be achieved by operating the light-emitting unit 26 corresponding to the area to be illuminated of the light-transmissive trim 28. By "operating" it is understood that the respective lighting units 26 are controlled with regard to their on-state and/or light color and/or light intensity and/or dynamic effects.

The advantages of the automotive interior part 1 according to the invention include, for example: the invention adopts the scheme of separating light guide, and realizes the effect of colorful light emission in a small light-emitting surface area. In addition to the conventional dynamic lamp effect in the length or circumferential direction, a dynamic lamp effect demonstration can also be performed in addition or separately in the width or radial direction without any problem, whereby the functionality is expanded and the lamp effect presentation is provided with more updating possibilities. The automotive interior part 1 can be compact both in the axial direction and in the radial direction based on the use of the light guide member. The change of the light emitting area can be achieved by adjusting the arrangement of the light guide member elements. The light homogenizing film can be variously set or adjusted to enhance the cool glare of the light effect.

The invention may comprise any feature or combination of features disclosed herein either implicitly or explicitly or any generalisation thereof and is not to be limited in scope by any of the limitations listed above. Any of the elements, features and/or structural arrangements described herein may be combined in any suitable manner.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the invention may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Claims (10)

1. An automobile interior component disposed within an automobile interior space, the automobile interior component comprising:

a light source including at least two rows of light emitting cells arranged side by side along a second direction, each of the rows of light emitting cells having a plurality of light emitting cells arranged successively along a first direction, the second direction being oriented transverse to the first direction;

a light-transmissive trim disposed toward an interior space of the vehicle and allowing light emitted by the light source to pass therethrough; and

and a light guide member including at least two light guides arranged side by side in the second direction, each light guide being associated with a corresponding one of the light emitting unit rows, wherein each light guide is disposed between the associated light emitting unit row and the light-transmissive trim so as to transmit light emitted from the associated light emitting unit row to the light-transmissive trim, respectively.

2. The automobile interior part according to claim 1, comprising a light uniformizing film for uniformizing light emitted from the light source, the light uniformizing film being disposed between the light-transmitting garnish and the light guide member.

3. The automotive interior component according to claim 2, characterized in that the distance of the light homogenizing film from the light guide element is set adjustable.

4. The automotive interior component of claim 1, comprising a housing having a bottom wall and side walls extending transversely to the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the side walls of the housing enclosing an accommodating space in which the light source is accommodated.

5. The automobile interior component according to claim 4, wherein the automobile interior component includes a partition having at least one partition wall that divides the accommodating space into a plurality of sub-accommodating spaces at least in the second direction, each of the light emitting cell rows being accommodated in the corresponding sub-accommodating space, respectively.

6. The automotive interior component of claim 5, wherein the divider has a bottom wall extending transversely to the divider wall, the bottom wall of the divider abutting against the bottom wall of the housing in the installed state.

7. The vehicle interior component according to claim 6, wherein at least two hole rows arranged one above the other in the installed state are provided on the bottom wall of the partition and on the bottom wall of the housing, each hole row being associated with a respective one of the light-emitting unit rows in the respective sub-receiving spaces, wherein the holes of the hole rows can be penetrated by a tool in order to detach the light-emitting unit rows from the sub-receiving spaces.

8. The vehicle interior component according to claim 1, characterized in that the luminous elements can be adjusted individually and/or in groups with regard to their on-state and/or light color and/or light intensity and/or dynamic effect.

9. The automotive interior component according to claim 1, characterized in that an air gap is provided between adjacent light-guiding bodies, or a coating layer for enhancing total internal reflection of the light-guiding body is coated on a side of the light-guiding body facing the adjacent light-guiding body.

10. An automobile provided with an automobile interior part according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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