DE202014102938U1 - Contour marking for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

Commercial vehicle contour marking (1) with a plurality of luminaires (3) for active contour marking and a retroreflecting surface (6) for passive contour marking, wherein the luminaires (3) are arranged in a carrier strip (2) along the longitudinal direction of the carrier strip (2) characterized in that the retroreflective surface (6) is formed by a retroreflective tape (8) fixed to the carrier tape (2) or to a common tether (16) and extending parallel to the carrier tape (2), the carrier tape (2) at least one electrical conductor track (9), preferably made of copper, which runs in the longitudinal direction of the carrier strip (2) and electrically contacts the individual lights (3), and the lights (3) in the carrier strip (2) at least partially in a material layer ( 12) embedded, preferably are cast, wherein preferably the material layer (12) is formed of silicone.

Description

The invention relates to a commercial vehicle contour marking with multiple lights for active contour marking and a retroreflective surface for passive contour marking, wherein the lights are arranged in a carrier tape along the longitudinal direction of the carrier tape.

Commercial vehicles not only require the generally known by motor vehicles headlights and reversing lights, but in addition so-called contour markers. Contour markings allow road users to identify larger commercial vehicles as such even in the dark. For active contour marking, it is known to provide an electric lighting device with a series of spaced lights.

Due to legal requirements, flat retroreflective means for passive contour marking are also used. In contrast to the illumination devices, these do not generate light, but merely reflect light incident from outside on the retroreflective means, e.g. of headlamps of subsequent vehicles. Both the passive and the active contour markings are provided along edges of the utility vehicle or its construction.

Contour markings are required by law for vehicles and their trailers, especially for lengths over 6 meters. Relevant legal standards are the R48 standard (ECE-R48 and ECE 104), as well as in Austria StVO § 51a , These standards govern the design and installation of markings, in particular side marker lights and side reflectors, lateral and rear retro-reflective stripes.

The EP 2 261 082 A1 discloses a utility vehicle having at least one lamp and a flat retroreflective means as the electric lighting device. The retroreflective agent is partially transparent and covers the lamp. The lights are each individually attached to the structure of the commercial vehicle or already integrated in this. The disadvantage of such a contour marking is that first each individual lamp must be mounted on the structure and contacted there electrically. This requires a complex cabling of the lights, since each individual lamp must be wired separately. In addition, by covering the luminaires by means of a retroreflective sheeting, only part of the light generated by the luminaire can be used. So either a lower radiation power of the contour marking must be taken into account or the performance and / or number of lights are increased, thereby increasing the cost of production and operation. In addition, the beam angle of the LED lights is not controllable because they are covered by the reflective tape. However, certain beam angles are prescribed by law (see standards mentioned above). In addition, the design is not waterproof because the reflective tape is glued to the lights that are mounted on the body only.

Further contour markings are from the CN 201936568 U and the US 6425679 B1 known. Bulbs for motorcyclists were in the NL 1002963 described.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a commercial vehicle contour marking which does not have the abovementioned disadvantages of known contour markings and which ensures reliable and easily visible illumination, can be easily fastened to a commercial vehicle or its construction, and can be produced simply and inexpensively is.

This object is achieved with a commercial vehicle contour marking mentioned above in that the retroreflective surface is formed by a retroreflective tape which is attached to the carrier tape or to a common tether and runs parallel to the carrier tape, wherein the carrier tape at least one electrical conductor, preferably from Copper, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the carrier tape and the individual lights electrically contacted, and the lights in the carrier tape at least partially embedded in a material layer, preferably encapsulated, wherein preferably the material layer is formed of silicone.

The lights are carried by the carrier tape or are at least partially integrated or embedded in this. By integrating the luminaires in a carrier tape provided with a retroreflective surface, the contour marker, which combines both active (electric) illuminants and passive passive retroreflective marking, can be mounted to a commercial vehicle in a single operation. The distances between the individual arranged in the carrier band lights are already given, so that a complicated and separate attachment of the lights deleted.

According to the invention, the carrier tape comprises at least one electrical conductor track, preferably of copper, which runs in the longitudinal direction of the carrier tape and electrically contacts the individual lamps. The conductor can be in the form of a thin wire, or as a conductor on a thin, elastic board, which also extends along the carrier tape. The In this case, the conductor track is embedded in the carrier strip in such a way that no moisture penetrates from the outside, which could affect the electrical contacting of the luminaires. For this purpose, the lights in the carrier tape are at least partially embedded in a material layer, preferably encapsulated, wherein preferably the material layer is formed of silicone. This ensures a reliable fixation of the lights and a compact design. In addition, it is prevented that the lights are torn by driving wind, rain or falling rocks from their anchorage.

Preferably, at least two tracks extend in the carrier tape, so that each one pole of the electrical lights are connected to one track and the opposite poles of the electrical lights are connected to the other trace. Such a parallel connection of the luminaires makes the contour marking highly failure-proof. Furthermore, the contour marking according to the invention in this way is flexible in all directions.

The back of the carrier tape is a mounting surface (e.g., a self-adhesive surface) which rests against the utility vehicle when mounted. Unlike in the prior art, the lights no longer need to be individually mounted on the vehicle. It must now be attached to the vehicle only the carrier tape from which the lights are worn or held.

In contrast to a diffusely reflecting surface in which only a small amount of light returns to the light source, a retroreflector is a reflecting element which largely reflects the incident radiation, regardless of the orientation of the reflector, in the direction of the radiation source (retroreflection). , The retroreflective surface running parallel to the carrier tape is made of such retroreflective material or many small retroreflective elements. The retroreflective surface may, for example, be in the form of a retroreflective sheeting glued to the carrier tape or a common tether.

The carrier tape or the band-shaped contour marking as a whole can be flexible, and preferably also be rolled up. Of course, it is also possible to make them more or less rigid and e.g. to provide in the form of bars.

Preferably, the retroreflective surface is formed by a retroreflective tape affixed to the carrier tape or attached to a common tether. In this way, the carrier tape with the lights attached thereto can be made independent of the retroreflective surface and glued in the course of manufacture only in a subsequent step with the retroreflective tape or connected via a common tether. Preferably, the retroreflective tape has a self-adhesive surface on its backside.

A possible embodiment of the contour marking according to the invention is that the luminaires are arranged within the retroreflective surface, wherein the retroreflective surface is interrupted in the region of a luminaire by a light exit window, which releases the respective luminaire in the direction perpendicular to the strip plane entirely. The light emission windows, which are free of retroreflective material, ensure that a high proportion of the light generated by the luminaire is actually available for active contour marking. The front side of the carrier tape is the side on which the light of the lights exits, i. E. the reflection through the retroreflective surface and the light emission of the luminaires takes place on the same side.

Preferably, the light exit windows are formed by openings or holes in the retroreflective tape. These are easy to incorporate in a not yet attached to the carrier tape or glued state, e.g. by cutting or punching. The distances of the openings or holes corresponds to the distance of the lights in the carrier tape. When attaching the retroreflective tape to the carrier tape, the apertures or holes overlap the lamps.

Preferably, the light exit windows are each formed by a completely transparent cutout in the retroreflective tape. In this embodiment, for example, a retroreflective coating of the strip may be interrupted in the region of the light exit windows, resulting in a completely transparent cutout of a film.

Preferably, a plug connection is formed on at least one end of the contour marking, which is electrically connected to the at least one conductor track. As a result, the contour marking can be easily connected to the electrical system.

Preferably, the front sides of the luminaires are aligned with the retroreflective surface or behind the retroreflective surface. This results in a compact design in which the lights are best protected.

The luminaires are preferably each formed from a light source and a transparent housing cap covering the light source. The housing cap protects the light source from external influences such as moisture, dirt and stone chipping and can also contain optical functionalities (refractive index, color).

Preferably, the housing cap is designed like a lens and deflects the emanating from the light source of the light rays in selected directions. As a result, the emission characteristics of the luminaire can be adjusted specifically.

Preferably, the housing cap at least one lamp in the carrier tape on a different refractive index and / or is oriented differently with respect to the band plane than the housing cap of another lamp of the carrier tape. When arranged on the commercial vehicle, the luminaires assume different positions (different heights, different lateral distances). Distance and angle to a next to or behind the utility vehicle driving vehicle therefore vary. In order to compensate for these differences and to ensure optimum illumination of each point of the contour marking, this can already be considered in the production of a contour marking according to the invention. Depending on the future height or side distance of the individual luminaires, therefore, the optical properties of the respective housing cap can be varied. As an alternative to the use of a housing cap with corresponding optical properties for shaping the emission characteristic, however, the light source can also be selected such that it has a corresponding emission characteristic.

The luminaires preferably each comprise an LED luminaire as the light source. These are not only space and energy saving, but also to obtain in different colors and light intensities.

Preferably, the lights are completely embedded in the carrier tape and waterproof sealed to the outside. In addition to an even better mechanical housing a failure of lights is effectively prevented by short circuits.

Preferably, the back of the carrier tape on a self-adhesive surface, which is preferably covered with a peel-off. This considerably simplifies the correct arrangement and assembly on the commercial vehicle or its construction. To mount the contour marker, all you need to do is remove the peel strip to expose the self-adhesive backing and glue the contour marker.

Finally, a preferred embodiment will be described which unites each of the features described above. In this case, a waterproof LED strip (carrier tape) is provided, which extends in the longitudinal direction of a retroreflective tape and a plurality of along a connecting (electrical) conductor arranged lights, wherein the retroreflective tape covers the LED strip light, but in the field of LED lights is provided with openings or holes, which releases the respective lamp or their respective assigned housing cap in the vertical direction to the band level of the carrier tape entirely.

Since the retroreflective tape is sufficiently thin, the emission angle and the emission power in the half-space of the emitted light defined by the band thereby remain essentially unchanged.

This makes it possible, for example, to equip the housing cap with lens-like properties by means of a correspondingly varying refractive index and to suitably adjust the emission angle, which in any case is no longer impaired by the covering retroreflective tape.

The connecting electrical conductor allows easy contact with the lamps, it is irrelevant whether, for example, a lamp, e.g. precipitated by falling rocks. In addition, the cutting of the contour marking does not affect the electrical contact of the remaining lamps. Preferably, the carrier tape for this purpose marked cutting areas, in which the conductor tracks are designed or arranged so as to allow a simple cutting to length of the carrier tape in the cutting areas and a contacting of the tracks with a connector. If necessary, the contour marking can thus be cut to length in a simple manner and contacted again in the desired length.

In a preferred embodiment, the contour marking is provided at one end with an electrical plug connection for a power supply and can be cut to length at will.

The above-mentioned object is also achieved with a commercial vehicle, in particular a truck, trailer or semitrailer, which has a commercial vehicle contour marking according to one of the embodiments described above.

To produce a commercial vehicle contour marking according to the invention from a plurality of luminaires for active contour marking and a retroreflecting surface for passive contour marking, the luminaires can first be introduced into a carrier strip, so that the luminaires are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the carrier tape, and the carrier tape are subsequently provided on its front side with the retroreflective surface, wherein the retroreflective surface is interrupted in each case in the region of a lamp by a light exit window.

Preferably, apertures or holes are introduced into a retroreflective tape, preferably punched, as light exit windows, and the retroreflective tape is glued to the carrier tape in such a way that the apertures or holes respectively come to rest over the luminaires.

The luminaires in the carrier strip are preferably cast in a material, preferably silicone, so that they are at least partially embedded.

A possible production could be carried out such that in a retroreflective tape, which is self-adhesive on one side, are punched approximately centrally located and distributed in the longitudinal direction of the tape openings. Subsequently, the LED light strip (carrier tape) is glued so that the distributed along the carrier tape lights come to rest in or under the punched openings.

On its rear side, the contour marking produced in this way is preferably self-adhesive and covered with a peel-off strip. The light strip (carrier tape) comprises a conductor strip, such as copper, in the longitudinal direction at a distance of e.g. 40-50 cm LED lights are arranged in the matching color (white, red or yellow), which are each covered by a transparent housing cap.

This arrangement is preferably made of a material such as e.g. Silicone, resin, foam and the like., Molded so that the entire light strip is waterproof. The LED lights are thus embedded waterproof. Active and passive contour markings can thus be attached to the vehicle wall in a single step.

In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawing. It shows

1 a contour marking according to the invention from the front,

2 a contour marking according to the invention according to the 1 in a sectional view along the sectional plane AA,

3 a luminaire with a lens-like housing cap or its emission angle,

4 a further embodiment of a contour marking according to the invention with laterally arranged lights,

5 a sectional view of the embodiment according to the 4 along the cutting plane BB, and the

6 a commercial vehicle with a contour marking according to the invention.

1 and 2 show a schematic representation of a commercial vehicle contour marking 1 (from the front and in longitudinal section) with several lights 3 for active contour marking and a retroreflective surface 6 for passive contour marking. The lights 3 are in a carrier tape 2 along the longitudinal direction of the carrier tape 2 arranged. The carrier tape 2 is at its front with the retroreflective surface 6 provided, wherein the retroreflective surface 6 each in the range of a lamp 3 through a light exit window 7 is interrupted.

In the in 2 illustrated embodiment give the light exit window 7 the respective lights 3 in the direction perpendicular to the band level of the carrier tape completely free.

The retroreflective surface 6 is through a retroreflective tape 8th formed on the carrier tape 2 attached, preferably glued. The light exit window 7 can, as in 2 seen through through holes or holes in the retroreflective tape 8th be formed.

Alternatively, the light exit windows may each be through a completely transparent cutout in the retroreflective tape 8th be formed. The ribbon 8th In this case, it has spots that are free of retroreflective material.

The carrier tape 2 out 2 includes an electrical trace 9 , For example of copper, in the longitudinal direction of the carrier tape 2 runs and the individual lights 3 electrically contacted. As a rule, at least two conductor tracks 9 be provided along the carrier tape to one of the conductor track in each case one pole of the electric lights 3 , Which preferably house an LED as a light source, and with the other conductor track in each case the opposite poles of the electric lights 3 to tie.

At one end of the contour marking 1 is a plug connection 10 (electrical connector) formed with the or the conductor track (s) 9 is electrically connected and the connection to the electrical system of the commercial vehicle 14 ( 4 ). Of course, at the other end of the contour marking 1 be provided a connector.

The front sides of the lights 3 , which in the illustrated embodiment by a transparent housing cap 5 be easily formed behind the retroreflective surface 6 back. Alternatively, the lights could 3 also be arranged so that they with the retroreflective surface 6 essentially aligned.

As already mentioned, the lights 3 each from a light source 4 , in particular an LED, and one the light source 4 covering transparent housing cap 5 built up. Alternatively to the use of a housing cap 5 but with appropriate optical properties for shaping the radiation characteristic can also be the light source 4 be selected so that it has a corresponding radiation characteristics.

As in 3 indicated can the housing cap 5 be made lens-like to that of the light source 4 the light 3 Outgoing light rays, eg to achieve a required radiation angle α or a radiation direction to redirect in desired directions. In the 3 illustrated housing cap 5 a lamp 3 even has areas with different indices of refraction, indicated by arcs. Thus, the extent of the deflection can be designed depending on the position in the light field (asymmetric light distribution).

To different positions of the individual lights 3 on the commercial vehicle 14 The housing cap can be taken into account 5 at least one lamp 3 in the carrier tape 2 has a different refractive index and / or with respect to the band plane of the carrier tape 2 (or the retroreflective tape) be oriented differently than the housing cap 5 another light 4 of the carrier tape 2 ,

How out 2 The lights are visible 3 in the carrier tape 2 in a material layer 12 embedded, preferably poured. Embedding can be done in partial or complete, even waterproof, measure. As a bedding material is particularly suitable because of its water resistance silicone, whereby resins, plastics, rubber, and the like. Would be possible.

The back of the carrier tape 2 can - as in 2 - a self-adhesive surface 11 which, in addition, still with a peel strip 15 can be covered.

The 4 and 5 refer to a further embodiment of the contour marking according to the invention, in which the lights 3 in the longitudinal direction of the carrier tape 2 along one of its longitudinal edges outside the retroreflective surface 6 are arranged. With regard to the minimum surface area of the retroreflective surface 6 There are sometimes legal regulations, their compliance with punched holes for the lights 3 and the like may be at risk. An arrangement of lights 3 outside the retroreflective surface 6 thus facilitates the guarantee of a defined surface area of the retroreflective surface 6 , The retroreflective surface 6 is, as in particular from the 5 can be seen by a retroreflective tape 8th formed, together with the carrier tape 2 on a tether 16 attached, preferably glued. The tether 16 is on his back with a pull-off band 15 provided in the 5 but was not drawn. Removing the puller tape 15 gives a self-adhesive surface of the tether 16 free, over which the contour marking easily on the structure of a commercial vehicle 14 can be attached.

6 finally shows a commercial vehicle 14 in the form of a truck, it being noted at this point that the invention may also be used in connection with other vehicles and vehicle parts, such as trailers, semi-trailers, caravans and the like. The contour markings according to the invention 1 are mounted in the edge area of the structure and allow other road users from afar to identify size and type of vehicle and thus to estimate the expected speed.

When making a contour mark 1 become about the lights 3 in a carrier tape 2 introduced so that the lights 3 along the longitudinal direction of the carrier tape 2 are arranged. The carrier tape 2 is at its front with the retroreflective surface 6 Care must be taken to ensure that the retroreflective surface 6 each in the range of a lamp 3 through a light exit window 7 is interrupted.

As a light exit window 7 can be through holes or holes in a retroreflective tape 8th are introduced, preferably by a punching operation. Subsequently, the retroreflective tape 8th on the carrier tape 2 glued that openings or holes respectively over the lights 3 to come to rest.

In the production of the carrier tape or light strip, the lights 3 in the carrier tape 2 in a material, preferably silicone, poured so that they at least partially in a layer of material 12 are embedded. The single ones Of course, manufacturing steps and their sequence can also be varied.

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

• EP 2261082 A1 [0005]
• CN 201936568 U [0006]
• US 6425679 B1 [0006]
• NL 1002963 [0006]

Cited non-patent literature

• R48 standard (ECE-R48 and ECE 104), as well as in Austria StVO § 51a [0004]

Claims (12)

Commercial vehicle contour marking ( 1 ) with several lights ( 3 ) for active contour marking and a retroreflective surface ( 6 ) for passive contour marking, whereby the luminaires ( 3 ) in a carrier tape ( 2 ) along the longitudinal direction of the carrier tape ( 2 ), characterized in that the retroreflective surface ( 6 ) by a retroreflective tape ( 8th ) formed on the carrier tape ( 2 ) or on a common tether ( 16 ) and parallel to the carrier tape ( 2 ), wherein the carrier tape ( 2 ) at least one electrical conductor track ( 9 ), preferably made of copper, which in the longitudinal direction of the carrier tape ( 2 ) and the individual lights ( 3 ) electrically contacted, and the lights ( 3 ) in the carrier tape ( 2 ) at least partially in a material layer ( 12 ) are embedded, preferably encapsulated, wherein preferably the material layer ( 12 ) is formed of silicone. Commercial vehicle contour marking according to claim 1, characterized in that the lights ( 3 ) within the retroreflective surface ( 6 ), wherein the retroreflective surface ( 6 ) each in the range of a lamp ( 3 ) through a light exit window ( 7 ) is interrupted, the respective lamp ( 3 ) in the direction perpendicular to the strip plane completely releases. Commercial vehicle contour marking according to claim 2, characterized in that the light emission windows ( 7 ) through holes or holes in the retroreflective tape ( 8th ) are formed. Commercial vehicle contour marking according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the light exit windows ( 7 ) each by a completely transparent cutout in the retroreflective tape ( 8th ) are formed. Commercial vehicle contour marking according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rear side of the carrier tape ( 2 ) a self-adhesive surface ( 11 ), preferably with a peel-off belt ( 15 ) is covered. Commercial vehicle contour marking according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one end of the contour marking ( 1 ) a plug connection ( 10 ) is formed, which with the at least one conductor track ( 9 ) is electrically connected. Commercial vehicle contour marking according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the front sides of the lamps ( 3 ) with the retroreflective surface ( 6 ) or behind the retroreflective surface ( 6 ) step back. Commercial vehicle contour marking according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the lights ( 3 ) each from a light source ( 4 ) and one the light source ( 4 ) covering transparent housing cap ( 5 ) are formed. Commercial vehicle contour marking according to claim 8, characterized in that the housing cap ( 5 ) is lens-like and that of the light source ( 4 ) of the luminaire ( 3 ) deflecting outgoing light rays in selected directions. Commercial vehicle contour marking according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the housing cap ( 5 ) at least one lamp ( 3 ) in the carrier tape ( 2 ) has a different refractive index and / or is oriented differently with respect to the band plane than the housing cap ( 5 ) of another lamp ( 4 ) of the carrier tape ( 2 ). Commercial vehicle contour marking according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the lights ( 3 ) in the carrier tape ( 2 ) are completely embedded and waterproof sealed to the outside. Commercial vehicle ( 14 ), in particular lorry, trailer or semitrailer, with a commercial vehicle contour marking, characterized in that the commercial vehicle contour marking ( 1 ) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 11.

Images