DE102017213369A1 - Illuminable cover for a functional space of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an illuminable cover (10) for a functional space (12) of a vehicle (14), comprising a cover (18) and a hinge (16), via which the cover (18) for releasing or covering the functional space (12). between a release position (20) and a covering position (22) is displaceable. According to the invention, the cover (18) comprises at least one translucent area (28, 30, 32, 34) on an inner side (24) and on an outer side (26), to which a light-emitting element (36) is assigned.

Description

The invention relates to an illuminable cover for a functional space of a vehicle according to the preamble of patent claim 1, an illumination system with the illuminable cover according to the preamble of patent claim 7 and a motor vehicle with the illumination system according to the preamble of patent claim 10.

In the technical field of vehicles, for example motor vehicles, it is known to make functional spaces, such as, for example, charging connections or tank sockets with marker lighting easier to find. In particular, during the charging process of electric vehicles, the additional requirement may arise here, to avoid in the dark a risk of tripping or collision by the protruding from the vehicle outer skin plug with outgoing line. If, for example, a charging connection as well as a fuel filler neck are to be provided in the case of a hybrid vehicle, space problems may also arise if, for example, a lighting device is to be provided laterally on the vehicle. Furthermore, in vehicles that should be configurable by the customer in terms of their drive technology (combustion and / or electric motor), an increased variety of variants for certain structural parts such as the fenders result. These must be provided by the manufacturer depending on the vehicle type with or without functional space, such as a charging port.

DE 10 2013 009 997 A1 shows an electrical charging device for a vehicle with a charging socket, wherein the charging socket is integrated in a lighting device of the vehicle.

DE 10 2010 040 797 A1 further shows an electric vehicle comprising a retractable electric cable for charging a battery of the electric vehicle. At the extendable end of the electric cable, a charging plug or a charging socket is attached. A lighting unit serves as a cover for the charging plug or the charging socket.

The invention is based on the object to provide an illuminable cover for a functional space of a vehicle, which combines the smallest possible space as many lighting functions in itself.

The object is solved by the subject-matter of independent claims 1, 7 and 10.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the remaining, mentioned in the dependent claims characteristics.

A first aspect of the invention relates to an illuminable cover for a functional space of a vehicle, comprising a cover and a hinge, via which the cover for releasing or covering the functional space between a release position and a covering position is displaceable. According to the invention, the cover comprises at least one translucent area at an inner side facing the functional area in the covering position and at the outer side in the covering position from the functional space, and at least partially a light-emitting element is arranged in the cover between the translucent areas. whose light can escape through the translucent areas of the lid. Alternatively, the light generation can also take place in the vehicle-fixed area and the light can be guided by means of light guides, for example hinging components corresponding to this purpose, to the light exit surfaces in the lid.

In other words, the cover of the illuminable cover according to the invention is able to emit light on both sides, that is to say on its side facing the vehicle in the covering position and on its side pointing away from the vehicle in the covering position. The light-emitting element can be designed to generate one or more light colors and be dimmable with respect to the light intensity. Since the lid is pivotable about the hinge, only one light color, which is generated with constant intensity, is sufficient to produce different light functions in combination with the lid position. For example, in the covering position, the cover can only represent a marking illumination for facilitating the finding of the functional space, wherein the light is radiated substantially in the vehicle transverse direction. On the other hand, in the release position, for example, the cover can represent a marking position for the safety-related marking of the cover protruding outwards from the vehicle, wherein the light is radiated essentially in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Likewise, the lid, for example, in a transitional state between the release position and covering position illuminate the function room itself and thus facilitate, for example, the placement of a charging plug. Since light is also emitted here on the inside and outside of the cover, the light emitted to the outside additionally indicates that a charging plug is being placed. Especially in the dark, this provides additional security for the serving person.

If the light-emitting element is additionally designed to produce different colors, charging may also be visualized in an electric vehicle, for example. By way of example only, a white light color may be selected initially to provide illumination to facilitate insertion of the charging plug. After placement of the charging plug can be changed, for example, to the light color yellow, to signal that the charging process is not yet completed. Consequently, after completion of the charging process, for example, the light color green can be changed. Further, when the lid is opened, for example, a light color red or orange can be selected in order to identify a danger which represents the unfolded lid standing away from the vehicle. Of course, such information can also be obtained by characteristic dimming of the light, or combined with varying colors.

The light-transmissive areas of the lid are preferably made of a transparent material and have on the surface a light emission area adapted to the desired light characteristic to be achieved. Inwardly inside, ie inside the lid, the light-permeable areas are preferably at least partially formed as a light guide. Light-conducting properties here significantly improve the propagation of the light from the light-emitting element to the light-transmissive areas. If the light-emitting element is arranged relative to the light-transmissive regions such that the emitted light can reach the light-permeable regions in a straight-line manner, ie without reflection at inner boundary surfaces in the sense of a light guide, then light-conducting properties are not absolutely necessary.

Another advantage of the illuminable cover according to the invention is that in vehicle variants, which have on their outer skin, for example, only on one side of a functional space such as a tailgate or a filler neck, a uniform appearance can be achieved. Even if no functional space is present on one side or does not have a functional interface such as a charging socket in the interior, the illuminable cover can nevertheless be provided and used only to generate lighting functions. The external appearance does not necessarily change with the vehicle variant. In particular, one can avoid in this way the costly variation of the body with different drive concepts (ICE, PHEV / BEV). For example, so different fenders (with / without opening) can be saved.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the light-emitting element comprises an active light source integrated in the cover. An active light source is to be understood as meaning all light sources which generate light themselves and do not merely forward them. To name here, for example, an LED.

The integration of an active light source, or to generate different light colors, even several active light sources, in the lid has the advantage that the structure of the lid is very simple, compact and robust. As a lead, basically only the electrical leads for powering the light sources are led out of the lid. These can be formed, for example, via sliding contacts in the region of the hinge of the illuminable cover and are so insensitive to frequent displacement of the lid position. For example, the lid can also be easily exchanged in a modular manner.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the light-emitting element comprises a passive light source integrated in the cover, which can be supplied with light via a supply light source arranged outside the cover. Under passive light sources are here all light sources to understand that do not generate the light itself, but receive this only from a supply light source and forward. Here, for example, a light guide should be mentioned, which is powered by an LED. Such a light guide, for example, be laid using the space already provided for the hinge space and then protrude into the lid.

Such a passive light source offers the advantage that in particular no electrical contact problem occurs in the region of the hinge. Furthermore, larger and more powerful light sources can be used without this adversely affecting the space of the illuminable cover. Also, in the interior of the vehicle existing active light sources can take over the supply of the passive light source, whereby a total of less active light sources are needed.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the passive light source is at least partially integrated in the hinge. Particularly advantageously, the hinge itself can be made of a photoconductive material and used with as a light guide.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the light-permeable region has, at least in sections, an angled surface on the outer side. One thus designed translucent area is particularly well suited to produce as a light function and a direction indicator with the illuminated cover. The angled surface is preferably formed according to the known design guidelines for housing direction indicators and thereby meets the well-known to those skilled photometric requirements for the realization of a direction indicator.

In this way, the illuminable cover, when the lid is in cover position, can be used in a very space-saving manner as a regular direction indicator. In the lid thus very space-saving important lighting functions of the vehicle are combined.

Technically, the generation of a flashing light is possible even without the angled surface. However, this does not lend itself to a direction indicator, but only for other lighting functions, such as a marker lighting on.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that on the inside and the outside each have a plurality of light-transmissive areas are provided. The different light-transmissive areas can also have, for example, different light-technical characteristics. Thus, by way of example only, a first light-transmissive region can be provided on the inside or the outside, which is translucent for a particular color and a further light-permeable region can be provided, which is transparent to another color. All this allows the competent expert far-reaching creative freedom.

An illuminable cover designed in this way offers the advantage that the number of light functions that can be generated can be greatly increased.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a lighting system comprising an illuminable cover according to the invention as described above, comprising a manually and / or automatically activatable control element, which is operatively connected to a light-emitting element of the illuminable cover. The manually activatable control element can be, for example, a switching element in the interior of the vehicle, which can be operated by a user of the vehicle. An automatically activatable control element may be in the form of a sensor, for example, which outputs an activation signal to the light-emitting element when a specific operating state of the vehicle occurs.

This offers the advantage that the lighting functions that can be realized with the illuminable cover are extremely flexible and easy to activate. Thus, for example, depending on a usage situation of the vehicle, a light function can be activated flexibly manually. In the case of operating states which are not easily recognizable to the user or also in the case of safety-relevant lighting functions, for example, an automatic activation can take place.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the control element is able to control the light-emitting element for generating at least two light functions. For example, a first light function can be activated manually and a second light function can be activated automatically. In order to take into account additional safety aspects, it is also possible, for example, to set priorities, wherein, purely by way of example, an actuating action of the automatically activatable control element relative to the light-emitting element can superimpose an actuating effect of the manually activatable control element (or vice versa).

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the illuminable cover is a tailgate of a motor vehicle and a first light function forms a direction indicator and a second light function forms a status indicator.

It is particularly advantageous if the status display, for example, forms a red warning display in a first translucent area when the loading flap is open and a charging status is displayed in a second translucent area. Appropriately, in this example, the status display or the second light function will superimpose the first light function with respect to their priority. Accordingly, a manual operation of the direction indicator is not possible, for example, when the tailgate of the motor vehicle is open for loading the motor vehicle.

The combination of direction indicator and status indicator for the tailgate represents a particularly advantageous combination of two important lighting functions in electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle with a lighting system according to the invention as described above.

In summary, in other words, it can be said that the invention comprises a movable cover, in particular a charging socket relates, which is partially made of a transparent material. Between the two partially translucent main surfaces of the charging socket an active or passive light source is integrated in the cover. With the light of the light source, the cover is designed to emit light on both sides to produce different light functions. These can be used depending on the position of the movable cover, for example, as a direction indicator or flashing light or as a status or warning display during charging.

The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application are, unless otherwise stated in the individual case, advantageously combinable with each other.

• 1 eine erfindungsgemäße beleuchtbare Abdeckung; und
• 2 ein erfindungsgemäßes Kraftfahrzeug mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Beleuchtungssystem.

The invention will be explained below in embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 an illuminable cover according to the invention; and
• 2 an inventive motor vehicle with a lighting system according to the invention.

1 shows an illuminable cover according to the invention 10 for a functional room 12 a vehicle not shown here 14 , The function room 12 is presently a charging socket for an electric vehicle. The illuminated cover 10 includes a hinge 16 and a lid 18 , where the lid 18 over the hinge 16 to release or cover the function room 12 between a release position 20 (see. 1d) and a covering position 22 (see. 2 ) is displaceable.

The lid 18 has one in covering position 22 the functional space 12 facing inside 24 , Furthermore, the lid has 18 one in covering position 22 through the lid 18 from the function room 12 spatially separated outside 26 , The inside 24 has two translucent areas 32 . 34 and the outside 26 has two translucent areas 28 . 30 , The translucent areas 28 and 32 are presently translucent for a first color. The translucent areas 30 . 34 In the present case, they are permeable to another color.

Between the translucent areas 28 . 30 . 32 . 34 inside the lid 18 , is a light-emitting element 36 intended.

The light-emitting element 36 is in 1b than in the lid 18 integrated passive light source 38 shown. The passive light source 38 In the present case, this is an elongated, edge-emitting light guide 40 , This one is over an outside of the lid 18 arranged supply light source 42 with light 44 fed. For this purpose, another optical fiber 46 be provided, which is the light 44 from the supply light source 42 to the edge-emitting light guide 40 passes. The further light guide 46 For example, in the area of the hinge 16 be misplaced. The hinge 16 but can also be part of the other light guide 46 be and be made for this purpose of a photoconductive material.

In 1d is the light-emitting element 36 alternatively as in the lid 18 integrated active light source 48 shown. In the present case, these are a plurality of LEDs 50.

That of the light-emitting element 36 regardless of its specific design, produced light 44 can in the case of light 44 the first color at the translucent areas 28 and 32 from the lid 18 escape. In the case of light 44 the other color can be the light 44 at the translucent areas 30 and 34 from the lid 18 escape. This is exemplary in 1a indicated.

In the illustrated embodiment of the illuminable cover 10 Thus, two light functions result, namely generation of light 44 the first color and generating light 44 the other color. The first and other colors are each on the inside 24 as well as on the outside 26 visible, noticeable.

In 1c is shown that the translucent area 28 on the outside 26 an angled surface 52 having. The angled surface 52 is approximately centered in the translucent area 28 by additional extraction structures 54 additionally pronounced angled in different planes. In this area is the illuminated cover 10 designed to generate a flashing light for the realization of a direction indicator.

2 shows a motor vehicle according to the invention 56 that with an illumination system according to the invention 58 Is provided.

The lighting system according to the invention comprises an illuminable cover according to the invention 10 as they are for example in 1 is shown. In addition, the lighting system includes 58 a manually and / or automatically activatable control element 60 , The control element 60 is with a light-emitting element only indicated here 36 the illuminable cover 10 via an active compound 62 connected.

The control element 60 For example, a manual switch not shown here or a sensor, for example, for evaluating a position of the lid 18 . include. In the present case is the control element 60 formed, the light-emitting element 36 to drive to generate two light functions. The light functions are dependent on the position of the lid 18 the illuminable cover 10 enableable. The illuminated cover 10 in the present case is a tailgate 64 of the present as an electric vehicle motor vehicle 56 , The first light function in this case is a direction indicator which is manually via the control element 60 is operable as long as the tailgate 64 closed is. The second light function, on the other hand, is a status display, the actuation of which via the control element 60 automatically done as soon as the tailgate 64 not closed anymore. The status display serves to identify the open tailgate 64 ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

cover

12

function room

14

vehicle

16

hinge

18

cover

20

release position

22

capping

24

inside

26

outside

28

translucent area

30

translucent area

32

translucent area

34

translucent area

36

light-emitting element

38

passive light source

40

edge emitting light guide

42

source

44

light

46

another light guide

48

active light source

50

LEDs

52

surface

54

extraction structures

56

motor vehicle

58

lighting system

60

control element

62

operatively connected

64

tailboard

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102013009997 A1 [0003]
• DE 102010040797 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

An illuminable cover (10) for a functional space (12) of a vehicle (14), comprising a cover (18) and a hinge (16), via which the cover (18) for releasing or covering the functional space (12) between a release position (12). 20) and a covering position (22) is displaceable, characterized in that the cover (18) at a in the covering position (22) the functional space (12) facing the inside (24) and at a cover position (22) through the lid (18 ) from the functional space (12) spatially separated outer side (26) in each case at least one light-transmissive region (28, 30, 32, 34) and that in the lid (18) between the translucent areas (28, 30, 32, 34) at least partially a light-emitting element (36) is arranged, the light (44) through the transparent areas (28, 30, 32, 34) can emerge from the lid (18). Illuminated cover (10) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the light emitting element (36) comprises an active light source (48) integrated in the cover (18). Illuminable cover (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light-emitting element (36) comprises a passive light source (38) integrated in the cover (18), which is supplied via a supply light source (42) arranged outside the cover (18). with light (44) can be fed. Illuminated cover (10) after Claim 3 , characterized in that the passive light source (38) is at least partially integrated in the hinge (16). Illuminable cover (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light-permeable region (28) on the outer side (26) at least in sections an angled surface (52). An illuminable cover (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the inside (24) and the outside (26) each have a plurality of light-transmissive areas (28, 30, 32, 34) are provided. A lighting system (58) for a vehicle (14), comprising an illuminable cover (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 , characterized in that the illumination system (58) comprises a manually and / or automatically activatable control element (60) which is operatively connected to a light emitting element (36) of the illuminable cover (10). Lighting system (58) after Claim 7 , characterized in that the control element (60) is capable of controlling the light-emitting element (36) for generating at least two light functions. Lighting system (58) after Claim 8 , characterized in that the illuminable cover (10) is a loading flap (64) of a motor vehicle (56) and a first light function forms a direction indicator and a second light function forms a status indicator. Motor vehicle (56) with a lighting system (58) according to one of Claims 7 to 9 ,

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