DE102022210608A1 - Method and lighting device for illuminating a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for illuminating a vehicle interior (12) of a motor vehicle (10). A lighting source (16) with a variable radiation area (46) is arranged in the vehicle interior (12). The lighting source (16) with the variable radiation area (46) is designed to selectively illuminate individual areas of the vehicle interior (12) and to shade other areas of the vehicle interior (12) from the radiation area (46).
The invention further relates to a lighting device (48) for illuminating a vehicle interior (12) of a motor vehicle (10), wherein the lighting device (48) comprises a lighting source (16) with a variable radiation area (46) and is operatively connected to a control device (50) which is designed to carry out such a method when a machine-readable program code (56) is executed by a computing unit (54) of the control device (50).

Description

The invention relates to a method for illuminating a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle and to a lighting device for carrying out such a method according to the preamble of the independent patent claims.

Current vehicle concepts use lighting devices that are preferably integrated into the roof liner or integrated into a vehicle structure at a similar location. The intensity of the interior lighting can be changed by the number of lamps installed and their control. Furthermore, lighting elements in the sun visors are known, which are used in particular to illuminate a mirror integrated into the sun visor. In addition, individual lamps can be integrated into the interior, which act as reading lamps to specifically illuminate an area assigned to a seat in the vehicle. This light cone can be adjusted by flexible mounting in the roof liner or a vehicle structure located above the passenger's body, which makes it possible to adjust the light cone of the reading lamp to a limited extent.

From the US11,007,931 B2 A lighting concept for a motor vehicle is known which comprises one or more light sources which are used as lights or projectors. The lighting system further comprises one or more detectors which are configured to detect movements of objects or occupants (passengers or operators) of the vehicle, and a computer module which comprises a processor which is configured to receive and process signals from one or more detectors. The lighting system comprises a control device which receives the signals from the processor and in response controls the one or more light sources.

Furthermore, lamps are known from the prior art whose contour can be changed. For example, lamps in the shape of a book are known which have a changeable radiation surface when the lamp is unfolded in such a way that the book cover and the back of the book lie on one surface and the lamp takes on the shape of an open book.

The invention is based on the object of selectively illuminating an interior of a motor vehicle, wherein the illumination of the vehicle interior can be changed in a defined manner in a simple manner in order to adapt it to the respective users or functions of the motor vehicle.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for illuminating a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle, wherein a lighting source with a variable radiation area is arranged in the vehicle interior. According to the invention, the lighting source with the variable radiation area is designed to selectively illuminate individual areas of the vehicle interior and to shade other areas of the vehicle interior from the radiation area. This can expand the functionality of the interior lighting of a motor vehicle. In particular, selective illumination of individual areas of the vehicle interior enables the driver and passengers to individually find the best possible lighting conditions for carrying out different activities in the motor vehicle. For example, it is generally desirable for a driver that the driver's area is largely blocked out by the interior lighting in order to prevent the driver from being dazzled when driving the motor vehicle. In addition, the method enables a new user experience for the occupants of the motor vehicle, which is perceived as improving quality and being of high quality. In addition, the lighting source can be designed as a removable lighting source and can be arranged, for example, on the backrest of a front seat of a motor vehicle. A holder for the lighting source can be created with a positive click lock or with a magnetic holder for the lighting source. This can further expand the functionality of the interior lighting.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention result from the remaining features mentioned in the subclaims.

The additional features listed in the dependent claims enable advantageous improvements and further developments of the method specified in the independent claim for illuminating a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the radiation area of the lighting source is continuously variable. By continuously changing the radiation area, a targeted illumination of an area of the vehicle interior can be achieved in a simple manner. In particular, this area can be enlarged or reduced depending on the situation. Continuous changeability offers a particular advantage over known solutions with several lighting sources, in which the lighting area can be changed by switching off or on an additional Lighting source is changeable. As an alternative to continuous adjustment, the beam area can also be adjusted using predefined locking points and expanded or reduced in discrete steps. In motor vehicles that can drive fully autonomously at an autonomy level of 4 or 5, it is not absolutely necessary for the occupants to look in the direction of travel. Furthermore, in the passenger compartment of minibuses or vans, it is possible for the occupants to sit opposite each other. In this case, the lighting source can illuminate a central area in the vehicle interior, which can be enlarged or reduced by adjustment.

Such a vehicle is particularly advantageous in partially autonomous or autonomous driving modes, in which the driver relinquishes control of the vehicle at least for a short time. In such autonomous driving modes, the driver can devote himself to other tasks that are not adequately taken into account by previously known lighting concepts. In particular, the method described enables the driver's seat to be illuminated in autonomous driving modes, so that the driver can, for example, read a book or use a mobile phone or tablet computer while driving.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the lighting source is integrated into a light field communication system for illuminating the vehicle interior. Light field communication allows data to be transmitted in the vehicle interior, whereby the lighting source can be controlled at such short time intervals that the light radiation is invisible to the eyes of the vehicle occupants. The data transmission channel can be enlarged or reduced accordingly using the adaptive light cone. This makes it easy to improve data transmission in the interior of a motor vehicle.

In a further improvement of the method, it is provided that the lighting source is constructed in the manner of a lighting fan, with the radiation area being expanded by unfolding the lighting fan. In this context, a lighting fan is understood to mean a light source that can change its radiation area. In particular, by unfolding the lighting fan, the radiation area between two essentially opaque boundaries can be enlarged. Such a lighting fan enables the radiation area of the lighting source to be expanded or restricted in a simple and cost-effective manner. This effect can be enhanced by beam-guiding and/or beam-shaping elements, such as lenses, waveguides, scattering particles, etc., in or along an edge of the fan in order to be able to enlarge or reduce the radiation area of the light fan in a defined manner or to specifically illuminate individual areas more strongly than other areas of the radiation area.

Alternatively, the light source can also permanently have the same radiation area and a fan can be placed on the light source, which illuminates individual areas of the interior and darkens other areas of the interior depending on the opening of the fan.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method, it is provided that the vehicle interior is illuminated by one or more firmly defined light cones when the radiation area is maximally restricted. In this way, a kind of "basic lighting" can be created. The lighting source is covered over a large area, so that a light cone only emerges from a remaining boundary surface, which also introduces light into the vehicle interior when the radiation area is maximally restricted. This defined light cone can emerge in particular through a translucent surface in an otherwise opaque cover of the lighting source.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a lighting device for illuminating a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle. The lighting device comprises a lighting source with a variable radiation range. The lighting device is operatively connected to a control unit which is set up to carry out a method described in the previous sections for illuminating a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle when a machine-readable program code is executed by a computing unit of the control unit. Such a lighting device enables an extension of the functionality of the interior lighting of a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle. In particular, selective illumination of individual areas of the vehicle interior enables drivers and passengers to individually find the best possible lighting conditions for carrying out different activities in the motor vehicle. For example, it is generally desirable for a driver that the driver's area is largely hidden from the interior lighting in order to prevent the driver from being blinded when driving the motor vehicle. In addition, the lighting device enables a new user experience. nis for the occupants of the vehicle, which is perceived as improving quality and being of high quality. In autonomous vehicles with an autonomy level of 4 or 5, each occupant can devote himself to his own task. In this case, the selective lighting enables, for example, one occupant to sleep while another occupant reads a book or magazine.

In an advantageous embodiment of the lighting device, it is provided that the lighting device comprises one or more LEDs, in particular a matrix LED. A lighting device with one or more LEDs makes it particularly easy to create a lighting device with a variable radiation area. The light emitted by the LED can be coupled in by appropriate light-conducting fibers or surfaces and guided to the radiation area. The light can be emitted in particular along the inner fan surface in the manner of a surface emitter and on the outer edges in the manner of an edge emitter. In addition, LEDs enable particularly energy-efficient lighting of the interior. In addition, other effects, in particular a color change or a corresponding dimming of the light, can be integrated particularly easily and inexpensively with LED lighting. A matrix LED unit enables targeted illumination of individual areas of the vehicle interior and the masking of other areas in a different way, for example in order not to dazzle the driver while the driver is driving the vehicle.

Alternatively or additionally, it is advantageously provided that the lighting device comprises a halogen light or a laser light. Laser diodes enable particularly bright and efficient lighting of the vehicle interior. Since laser diodes can be made smaller than LEDs with the same power, a lighting device with a laser light can be made smaller and more compact overall. This simplifies integration into tight installation spaces, for example, in particular in the roof lining of a vehicle interior.

In a further improvement of the lighting device for illuminating the interior of a motor vehicle, the lighting source is provided with an opaque cover, into which a translucent, in particular transparent, surface is integrated, which emits a cone of light when the cover is closed. This makes it easy to form a basic cone of light, which can preferably be continuously expanded by adjusting the lighting device accordingly. Alternatively, the cover can also be transparent only to parts of the spectrum of light in order to manipulate the light color and emit a specific spectrum of light into the vehicle interior.

In an advantageous embodiment of the lighting device, one or more optical structures are assigned to the lighting source, which emit a defined optical pattern into the interior of the motor vehicle. Such optical patterns can be, for example, stars, hearts, circles, rings or similar. In particular, the optical pattern can also be a logo of the vehicle manufacturer, which is projected into the interior of the motor vehicle.

The various embodiments of the invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with one another, unless stated otherwise in individual cases.

• 1 ein Ausführungsbeispiel für ein Kraftfahrzeug, welches mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren zur Beleuchtung eines Fahrzeuginnenraums des Kraftfahrzeuges beleuchtbar ist;
• 2 ein bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Beleuchtungsquelle zur Beleuchtung eines Fahrzeuginnenraums eines Kraftfahrzeuges;
• 3 ein weiteres bevorzugtes Ausführungsbeispiel für eine Beleuchtungsquelle zur Beleuchtung eines Fahrzeuginnenraums eines Kraftfahrzeuges;
• 4 eine Lichtverteilung in einem Fahrzeuginnenraum bei der Durchführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Beleuchtung des Fahrzeuginnenraums;
• 5 eine weitere Lichtverteilung in einem Fahrzeuginnenraum bei der Durchführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Beleuchtung des Fahrzeuginnenraums;
• 6 eine Projektion eines Musters in den Fahrzeuginnenraum bei der Durchführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Beleuchtung des Fahrzeuginnenraums und
• 7 ein Ablaufdiagramm zur Durchführung eines erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens zur Beleuchtung eines Fahrzeuginnenraums eines Kraftfahrzeuges.

The invention is explained below in exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

• 1 an embodiment of a motor vehicle which can be illuminated using a method according to the invention for illuminating a vehicle interior of the motor vehicle;
• 2 a preferred embodiment of a lighting source for illuminating a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle;
• 3 a further preferred embodiment of a lighting source for illuminating a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle;
• 4 a light distribution in a vehicle interior when carrying out a method according to the invention for illuminating the vehicle interior;
• 5 a further light distribution in a vehicle interior when carrying out a method according to the invention for illuminating the vehicle interior;
• 6 a projection of a pattern into the vehicle interior when carrying out a method according to the invention for illuminating the vehicle interior and
• 7 a flow chart for carrying out a method according to the invention for illuminating a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle.

1 shows a motor vehicle 10 with a vehicle interior 12 in a schematic representation position. The vehicle interior 12 has a roof liner 14 on which one or more lighting sources 16 are arranged. Furthermore, a first row of seats 66, preferably a row of seats with two individual seats 68, and a second row of seats 70 arranged behind the first row of seats 66 in the direction of travel are arranged in the vehicle interior 12. An operating element 20 for controlling the lighting source 16, preferably a touchpad user interface, is also formed in the vehicle interior 12. The lighting source 16 has a changeable radiation area 46, wherein the lighting source 16 is set up to selectively illuminate individual areas of the vehicle interior 12 and to shade other areas of the vehicle interior 12 from the radiation area 46.

The lighting source 16 can be designed in particular as a lighting fan 18, which illuminates different parts of the vehicle interior depending on the degree of opening of the lighting fan 18. In the 1 In the embodiment shown, the vehicle interior 12 is divided into a first lighting area 22, a second lighting area 24, a third lighting area 26 and a fourth lighting area 28. The first lighting area 22 includes the driver's seat, the second lighting area 24 includes the passenger seat, the third lighting area 26 includes a seat in the second row of seats 70 on the passenger side and the fourth lighting area 28 includes a seat in the second row of seats 70 on the driver's side.

The illumination source 16 comprises an LED light source 30, preferably a plurality of LED light sources 30, in particular a matrix LED. Alternatively or additionally, the illumination source 16 can also comprise a laser light source 32, in which light is emitted by a laser diode.

The motor vehicle 10 further comprises a control unit 50, which comprises a memory unit 52 and a computing unit 54. A machine-readable program code 56 is stored in the memory unit 52, which controls a method according to the invention for illuminating a vehicle interior 12 when the machine-readable program code 56 is executed by the computing unit 54 of the control unit 50. The control unit 50 can further comprise a control unit 58 for controlling the light intensity of the lighting source 16 and/or a control unit 60 for controlling a light color of the lighting source 16.

In 2 a preferred embodiment of a lighting device 48 with a lighting source 16 for illuminating a vehicle interior 12 of a motor vehicle 10 is shown. The lighting source 16 is designed in the manner of a book or a lighting fan 18. In a closed first operating state, radiation occurs via the side surfaces 72, 74, 76 of the lighting fan 18. The remaining radiation area 46 is covered by an opaque cover 36 and is therefore not illuminated. Alternatively, the opaque cover 36 can also have a translucent and preferably transparent surface 40 through which a light cone 38 can emerge from the lighting source 16.

In 3 the lighting source 16 is shown in a second operating state in which the lighting source 16 is open and the radiation area 46 is correspondingly enlarged. The lighting source 16 is connected to a radiation surface 34 from which light is emitted into the vehicle interior 12 of the motor vehicle 10.

In 4 is a light distribution in a vehicle interior 12 of a motor vehicle 10 when carrying out a method according to the invention for illuminating the vehicle interior 12 of a motor vehicle 10. The vehicle interior 12 is illuminated over a large area by the lighting device 48. In the 4 In the operating state shown, all lighting areas 22, 24, 26, 28 are illuminated.

In 5 an alternative light distribution in a vehicle interior 12 of a motor vehicle 10 is shown. The radiation area 46 is limited and only illuminates the seats of the second row of seats 70.

In 6 a projection of a pattern into the vehicle interior 12 is shown when carrying out a method according to the invention for illuminating the vehicle interior 12 of a motor vehicle. An optical structure, for example a company logo of the vehicle manufacturer, is projected onto a defined area in the vehicle interior 12.

In 7 is a flow chart for carrying out a method according to the invention for illuminating a vehicle interior 12 of a motor vehicle 10. In a first method step <100>, a lighting source 16 in the vehicle interior 12 is essentially covered by an opaque cover 36, so that when the lighting source 16 is activated, the emitted light is limited to a light cone 38 and possibly uncovered side surfaces 72, 74, 76 of the lighting source 16. In In a method step <110>, the radiation area 46 of the lighting source 16 is enlarged, whereby larger areas of the vehicle interior 12 can be illuminated. This can be done automatically by control electronics 44 of the lighting device 48 or by electronic or manual operation by a passenger. In a method step <120>, the lighting intensity of the lighting source 16 can also be adjusted. Furthermore, in a method step <130>, the lighting color of the lighting source 16 can be changed and, for example, a color change can be carried out in the interior lighting.

List of reference symbols

10

Motor vehicle

12

Vehicle interior

14

Headlining

16

Lighting source

18

Lighting compartments

20

Control element

22

first lighting area

24

second lighting area

26

third lighting area

28

fourth lighting area

30

LED light source

32

Laser light source

34

Radiating surface

36

opaque cover

38

Light cone

40

transparent surface

42

Recess

44

Control electronics

46

Radiation area

48

Lighting equipment

50

Control unit

52

Storage unit

54

Computing unit

56

machine-readable program code

58

Control unit for controlling the light intensity

60

Control unit for controlling the light color

62

optical structure

64

Vehicle logo

66

first row of seats

68

Single seat

70

second row of seats

72

first side surface

74

second side surface

76

third side surface

100

First process step - limiting the emitted light by covering

110

Second process step - enlargement of the radiation area

120

Third process step - adjustment of the lighting intensity

130

Fourth process step - changing the lighting colour

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was 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 accepts no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 11007931 B2 [0003]

Claims (10)

Method for illuminating a vehicle interior (12) of a motor vehicle (10), wherein a lighting source (16) with a variable radiation area (46) is arranged in the vehicle interior (12), wherein the lighting source (16) with the variable radiation area (46) is designed to selectively illuminate individual areas of the vehicle interior (12) and to shade other areas of the vehicle interior (12) from the radiation area (46). Method for illuminating a vehicle interior (12) of a motor vehicle (10) according to Claim 1 , wherein the radiation range (46) of the illumination source (16) is continuously variable. Method for illuminating a vehicle interior (12) of a motor vehicle (10) according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the illumination source (16) is integrated into a light field communication for illuminating the vehicle interior (12). Method for illuminating a vehicle interior (12) of a motor vehicle (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , wherein shading of an area of the vehicle interior (12) is achieved by moving an opaque cover (36) of the lighting source (16). Method for illuminating a vehicle interior (12) of a motor vehicle (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 4 , wherein the illumination source (16) is constructed in the manner of an illumination fan (18), wherein an expansion of the radiation area (46) takes place by unfolding the illumination fan (18). Method for illuminating a vehicle interior (12) of a motor vehicle (10) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , wherein with a maximum restriction of the radiation area (46) the vehicle interior (12) is illuminated by one or more fixed light cones (38). Lighting device (48) for illuminating a vehicle interior (12) of a motor vehicle (10), wherein the lighting device (48) comprises a lighting source (16) with a variable radiation area (46) and is operatively connected to a control device (50) which is designed to carry out a method according to one of the Claims 1 until 6 to be executed when a machine-readable program code (56) is executed by a computing unit (54) of the control device (50). Lighting device (48) for illuminating a vehicle interior (12) of a motor vehicle (10) according to Claim 7 , wherein the illumination source (16) comprises one or more LEDs (30) or a laser light (32). Lighting device (48) for illuminating a vehicle interior (12) of a motor vehicle (10) according to Claim 7 or 8th , wherein the illumination source (16) has an opaque cover (36) into which a transparent surface (40) is integrated, which emits a light cone (38) when the cover (36) is closed. Lighting device (48) for illuminating a vehicle interior (12) of a motor vehicle (10) according to one of the Claims 7 until 9 , wherein the illumination source (16) is assigned one or more optical structures (62) which emit a defined optical pattern into the vehicle interior (12) of the motor vehicle (10).

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