DE29513018U1 - Vehicle interior light - Google Patents

Description

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ·· ·**· «*'«.**. ·**·. !"Page

2 Description

4 Vehicle interior light

&bgr; The invention relates to a roof lining of a motor vehicle

7 adaptable light. Such interior lights are used to illuminate the

&bgr; Interior when presenting vehicles at trade fairs and exhibitions

9 on the one hand and in sales rooms on the other. In closed

10 showrooms, there is the problem that the vehicles are from the

11 Usually very bright room lighting is used from outside. This

12 Illumination from outside causes the light produced by the

13 tinted vehicle windows additionally shield the vehicle interior for the µviewer from outside becomes very dark. The viewer looks, so to speak, into

15 a dark hole in it. However, since the viewer can also see the vehicle interior

16 is to be presented, the interior must be additionally brightened in order to compensate for the &igr;? luminosity of the exhibition room lighting.

ig According to the state of the art, interior lights are known for this purpose, which are specially

20 are adapted to the shape of the roof liner and are firmly mounted on the roof liner.

21 Power is usually supplied via a battery installed in the vehicle.

22 built-in 220-volt cable. The disadvantage of these well-known lights is

23 on the one hand, the need to have a separate lamp for each vehicle type in

24 adaptation to the roof liner. Another disadvantage is that

25 A 220-volt cable is installed in the vehicle to supply the lamp

26 must be.

28 Given these disadvantages, the invention is based on the object of

29 Vehicle interior lights to simplify their installation.

(N. 1ANWSS92, DOC) 11 August 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg »j »**j j**; ***· j**j *"*Page 2

&igr; The task is advantageously solved by the combination of features of claim 1

2. According to the invention, a universal base body is provided, which in

3 all vehicle types can be installed. On the front sides of the

4 base body, each of the tabs engaging the roof liner are detachably fixed. The

5 The tabs, which are interchangeable due to their detachable fixing, can be designed, for example, as bent sheets or steel plates. Particularly advantageous

7 is when the tabs are designed as rear gripping parts, which in the

8 Installation condition Reach behind parts of the roof lining, in

9 Adaptation to different roof widths requires at least one tab with a

10 adjustment mechanism. This adjustment mechanism is used to adjust

11 of the tab opposite the base body to adjust the span of the luminaire to

12 different roof widths can be adjusted.

14 Claims 2 to 4 teach preferred embodiments of the

is adjustment mechanism. Then the tab is at the end of a rod-shaped,

ie preferably designed as a round bar. This beam is in a

&pgr; Bushing or sleeve in the front side of a side part of the base body

is guided slidably. The carrier and the bushing are pairs of elements of a

is sliding guide. The use of a sliding guide has the advantage of stepless

20 Movability of the tab relative to the base body.

22 According to claim 3, a pressure-loading device for the carrier

23 Adjustment screw for fixing the tab in its respective desired position

24 Mounting position.

26 A mechanism with two parallel running gears is particularly solid.

27 round bars as supports, which are guided in two corresponding bushings. The

28 round rods prevent the element pairs from jamming in the sliding guide

29 on the one hand and at the same time ensure solid guidance and support of the

so tab on the base body on the other hand. It is advantageous to attach each of the round rods

31 by means of an adjusting screw.

(N:\AN\95592.DOC) 11 August 1995 ···· ·»* ···* ·1· *··* "··* ·&iacgr;· *··*

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ·; * 'j J* J *^** j******Page

2 For better adjustability and to create an optically symmetrical

3 Overall impression are in a preferred embodiment according to claim 4 at

4 adjustment mechanisms are provided on each of the two front sides. For mounting the

5 Lamp, the adjustment mechanisms are preset and the lamp is preferred

6 between the two B-pillars of the vehicle in the roof lining area.

7 A claw-like design of the tab edges enables the &bgr; light to be clamped to the roof lining. However, the tabs can also be used as rear gripping parts

9 and appropriately complementary trained areas of the

10 Reach behind the headliner trim.
11

12 The advantage of the lamp is that it can be used as a universal lamp for all

13 common vehicle types. The adaptation to the respective vehicle type takes place

14 on the specific design of the tabs while retaining

15 of the same base body. The tabs can be very inexpensively

ie be modified, while the comparatively expensive base body always

17 and can be used again over several vehicle generations.

It is possible to use the different tab designs to create the same

19 Base body a vehicle of the same vehicle type with sunroof and without

20 Sunroof to be illuminated despite the different roof lining designs. 21

22 A further invention independent of the invention according to claims 1 to 4

23 The invention relates to claims 5 and 6. According to claim 5, in the base body

24 not only the light sources, which are preferably designed as fluorescent tubes!

25, but the base body also accommodates a 12-volt ballast.

26 With this ballast it is possible to operate the lamp e.g. via the vehicle electrical system

27 vehicle. Compared to the 220-volt supply according to the

28 State of the art, this 12-volt supply has the advantage that the

29 state-of-the-art 220-volt cables to be installed separately without replacement

30 can be omitted. On the other hand, the use of 12-volt lights increases

31 significantly increases operational safety. With a 12-volt voltage, a

(N:\AN19S592.DOC) 1 1 August 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ...,..**% .**♦»"Page a

&igr; separate contact protection for the vehicle occupants is not necessary.

2 Use of a 220-volt voltage according to the state of the art must

3 On the other hand, complex contact protection measures must be taken, which are very

4 are expensive. In addition, the luminaires must be state-of-the-art

5 are checked again and again for their contact protection, especially at exhibitions &bgr;, which is why they are very maintenance-intensive. The use of the 12-VoIt

7 Voltage also has the advantage that the power supply is extremely simple

8 from a usually existing on the roof liner

9 vehicle interior light can be diverted. Finally, it is also

10 possible, a line on the inventive lamp from the outset

11, which can be fitted with an adapter suitable for the cigarette lighter

12 is provided.

14 It has proven particularly useful due to its functionality as well as its

is aesthetically an elliptical cross-section housing. The lower half of the housing

It serves to hold the fluorescent tube. The upper half of the housing serves

&igr;? to accommodate the 12-volt ballast, whereby the partition between

is effective as a reflector in both housing halves.

20 Further advantageous embodiments of the invention emerge from the

21 dependent claims and their combinations.

23 For further clarification, the invention is described below with reference to

24 is explained in more detail in the drawings in which:

26 Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the

27 vehicle interior light according to the invention, and

29 Figure 2 is an exploded view of the in Figure 1

so schematically shown embodiment of the inventive

si vehicle interior light.

11 August 1995

Patent AttorneysTergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ··· » * · ·**% ·*** »""Page

2 Figures 1 and 2 show, for example, an embodiment of a

3 Vehicle interior light according to the present invention in cross section

4 or expanded. In both figures, the same

5 Reference numbers for the same parts.

7 Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the luminaire

s 11. This contains a base body 1, which is made of an extruded aluminium profile

9 2, which in the assembled state corresponds to the roof liner not shown in the figure

10, and one on the underside of the

11 extruded profile 2 fixed plexiglass cover 3. The

12 Extruded profile 2 and the Plexiglas cover 3 form the housing of the base body 1, which has an approximately elliptical cross-section.

is The housing is surrounded by a plexiglass cover 3 as an optical reflector

The effective housing partition wall 4 is divided into two parts. In the at least essentially

17 through the extruded aluminium profile 2 and the housing partition 4

18 specific upper housing 5 is a 12-volt ballast 6. At the

19 reflective underside 7 of the housing partition 4 is a double frame

20 8 for fluorescent tubes 9. The fluorescent tubes 9 are thus

21 at least substantially between the reflective underside, i.e. the

22 Reflector 7 of the housing partition 4 and the plexiglass cover 3

23, which delimit a lower housing 10.

25 Figure 2, which basically also includes the above-mentioned components,

26, further shows further design features of the luminaire 11, which

27 in disassembled state from below, i.e. looking towards the plexiglass cover

28 3 is shown.

so As can be seen from Figure 2, the plexiglass cover 2 is channel-shaped

31 and has been designed to support the most uniform possible

(N:\AN\9SS92.DOC) 11 August 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg »&idigr; . **&igr; »***»*% ♦***"*Page

&igr; Light distribution, for example, along longitudinal edges in the direction of the gutter.

2 A light distribution that is as uniform and diffuse as possible can also be achieved by

3 other features of the plexiglass cover 2, such as lens or

4 Waffle structures etc. or direct material properties of the material used to produce the

5 Plexiglass cover 2 used plastic material.

7 To accommodate the fluorescent tubes 9 in the lower housing 10,

β according to the length of the fluorescent tubes 9 spaced shots 12

9 e.g. made of aluminium for accommodating socket-type lamp holders

10 on the reflective underside 7 of the housing partition 4, for example

11 by means of rivet connections 14. The reflective underside 7 of the

12 Housing partition 4 is formed by a shiny aluminum surface, i.e.,

13 that the housing partition wall 4 of this embodiment is

14 aluminum reflector is realized.

ie The socket-like elements associated with the double socket 8 (Figure 1)

17 Lamp holders 13 are secured by screws 15 to their respective

The mounts are attached and also provide secure mounting and

ig energy supply of two fluorescent tubes 9. The concrete

20 Design of the holding and supply connections, which can be achieved, for example, by

21 connection pins or sockets with holding and supply function must be implemented

22 can be used, is adapted to commercially available fluorescent tubes 9 and needs, since they

23 is therefore known to the person skilled in the art and does not itself constitute an essential aspect of the

24 present invention will not be described in detail here. As

25 still commonly available connections for external power supply

26, two cable clamps 16 are mounted near one of the receptacles 12, and

27 in the illustrated version on the with respect to the recordings 12

28 opposite side of the housing partition, i.e. in the upper housing 5. The

29 Connection terminals are connected, for example, via cable pieces (not shown) to the

connected to the supply connections of the nearest lamp socket.

31 For the fastening of the cable clamps 16, the cable clamps 16

(N.-Wd\95592.DOC) 11 August 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg »· **** ·**·*"*« «"«""Page

&igr; embodiment shown, a retaining plate 23 is provided, which is connected to a

2 The side part 24 of the base body 1 described in more detail below is screwed

3 is.

s The two fluorescent tubes 9 clearly visible in Figure 1 are, as can be seen from

β of Figure 2 is clear, connected by common connectors. Alternatively

7, other designs can also be used, for example, where each

&bgr; Fluorescent tube is provided with separate connection ends.

10 In order to avoid any problems, especially with longer fluorescent tubes 9, such as those used to span a

11 entire vehicle width are required, the mechanical load in the

12 The middle area can be reduced or completely eliminated by mounting only at the ends.

13 neutralize, are approximately in the middle of the length of the fluorescent tubes 9

μm retaining clips 17 are provided and secured by means of spacer sleeves 18 in a suitable

15 Distance from the reflective underside 7 of the aluminium reflector, i.e. the

The housing partition 4 is set and held. To fix the

17 Haiteklammem 17 on the housing partition wall 4 these are at their

is fluorescent tubes 9 opposite sides each directly with a

19 threaded section, which allows for mounting through the housing partition 4

20 and from the upper housing 5 with washers 22 and nuts 21

21 is tightened. The spacer sleeves 18 together with the curved

22 Design of the fluorescent tube cross-section-adapted

23 holding sections of the retaining clips 17 the counter bearing for these

24 Screw fastening, although any other suitable holding and fastening method can also be used.

27 To avoid excessive free length of fluorescent tubes,

28 shorter, serially connected, longitudinally arranged

29 light units can be used, for which no retaining clips 17 are required anymore, but appropriate holders and

si lamp sockets are to be provided. Furthermore, the entire

(N:\AN\95592.DOC) 11 August 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ··· » * · * * * « * t Page R

&igr; Vehicle interior light and thus the fluorescent tube used in it

2 should be short enough that no retaining clips are required. In order to

3 desired or necessary to increase the interior width of a vehicle to be illuminated

4 vehicle, it is then conceivable to simply span several

5 lights directly connected to each other or via spacers

6 in a row. All the above mentioned variants are

7 of the invention.

9 In order to further improve the performance of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2,

10 above mentioned advantages of a low supply voltage

11, i.e. not being dependent on a 220-volt supply, are a

12 Transformer 19 and a two-part 12-volt ballast 6 with

13 ballast units 20a, 20b are provided. The transformer 19 and the

µm ballast units 20a, 20b are simply connected between the cable terminals 17 and the

The latter is connected to the lamp socket 13. This allows the

16 Luminaire, provided suitable light sources are used, with a

&igr;? supply voltage of only 12 volts DC.

is Complex supply lines and contact protection measures, such as

19 are required for a 220-volt AC operation, are not required for a

20 such embodiment of the invention. Depending on the design of the

21 lamps, the transformer and the ballast can be used in different

22 and housed in the base body 1.

24 In the embodiment discussed here, as best seen in Figure 2,

25, the two ballast units 20a and 29b of the ballast 6 in the

26 Upper housing 5 on the housing intermediate wall 4 with unspecified

27 screw fasteners in the end areas of the longitudinal extension of the

28 housing partition 4. The transformer 19 is installed in the

29 Upper housing 5 at one of its ends in its longitudinal extension

The transformer 19 and the ballast units 20a, 20b of the 12-

31 volt ballast 6 could instead be used depending on their

(N.1AN195592.DOC) 11 August 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ·· **** ·**·.**% **% "'Page

Depending on the design and size, the lamps can also be placed in the lower housing 10 next to or above the fluorescent tubes 9.

4 The base body 1 is elongated and contains a

5 side part 24, 25, which is made of polished aluminum, for example. The two s side parts 24, 25 thus close together with the aluminum profile 2 and the

7 Plexiglass cover 3, the upper housing 5 and the lower housing 10, the

β are separated by the housing partition 4, whereby the separation is not tight

9. The housing partition 4 is bent into rail-like

10 longitudinal guides 31 of the aluminium profile 2 are inserted. The side parts 24,

11 are screwed to the aluminium profile 2 via aluminium blocks 26, so that

12 so that the housing partition wall 4 in the direction of its longitudinal extension

13 is secured against displacement, and form the front sides of the base body μ 1 (Figure 1). The Plexiglas cover 3 is secured by snap fasteners (not

15) in a known manner on the aluminium profile 2 easily detachable

is attached to allow easy replacement without the use of tools

&igr;? e.g. non-functional fluorescent tubes 9.

19 For mounting the lamp 11 on the vehicle roof in a vehicle interior

20, two brackets or brackets 27 are provided. The brackets 27 are designed as

21 rear gripping parts are designed, the parts of the vehicle roof lining for holding the

22 lamp 11. This can be done, for example, at the ends of the

23 The roof lining of the vehicle can be made in U-profiles. Alternatively or

24 In addition, the tabs 27 can have claw-like ends that

25 slightly, so that just sufficient holding power is achieved, into the

2s Material, such as fabric, of the vehicle roof lining. Such claws or

27 hooks can also be realized using Velcro material, for example.

29 Each bracket 27 is attached to the ends of two round steel bars

piston rods 28, which act as supports of the lamp 11, by means of in the figure

31 screws shown but not specified. The

(N.-IAN\95592.DOC) 11 August 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg »J »**"», .**«*"% ,/•«{•"Page in

&igr; Piston rods 28 at each end or front side run parallel to each other and are

2 to form an adjustment mechanism via linear plain bearing sleeves or -

3 bushings 29 movable in their longitudinal direction in pairs in each side part

4 24, 25, i.e. on the front sides of the base body 1. This bearing

s The adjustment mechanisms on both sides allow adjustment of the tabs 27

β in the longitudinal direction of the lamp 11, whereby the adjustment is just as smooth

7 is that it can be done without any special effort, but

β does not allow any unintentional automatic change in length. Furthermore, this type

9 of the bearing a rotation lock so that the alignment of the tabs 27 to the

10 Base body 1 is fixed. To avoid unintentional adjustment of a

11 set length of the lamp, for example, adjusting screws can be placed across

12 the plain bearing sleeves 29 are screwed in, which determine the extension position of the

13 Fix the piston rods 28, whereby one adjusting screw in µ of a plain bearing sleeve 29 is sufficient for each pair of piston rods.

ie The side part 25 has a central opening 30, which in the shown version

17 is rectangular. This central opening 30 can be used, for example, to carry out

ie a connection cable or for cooling purposes.

19 Under certain circumstances, such a central opening may even make it possible to replace the

20 fluorescent tubes, so that the plexiglass cover 3

21 at least does not have to be particularly light and easy to remove.

23 In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the length

24 of the Plexiglas cover 3, the housing partition 4 and also the

25 aluminium profile 2 each 716 mm, although other dimensions in the range

26 conventional vehicle interior widths, taking into account both

27 also on the one hand, e.g. single-seat vehicles and on the other hand, for example

28 buses are possible. In addition to this length, the dimensions of the lugs

29 27 in the longitudinal direction, which, for example, depends on

so different vehicle types have different dimensions and shapes

31 to ensure optimal mounting and support. The

iN.YAN\95592.DOC) 11, August 1995 »I·· ··* ···*

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg *· ***·* ***,**% _t ·* ;»*-€eite ·\ ·\

&igr; Tabs 27 are therefore also detachably attached to the piston rods 28, as

2 for example using the screws shown.

4 The longitudinal dimension of the luminaire 11 also includes its length variability.

5. In the present embodiment, this is determined by the β length of the piston rods 28 of 155 mm, which allows for different

7 wide vehicle roofs an adjustment range of the lamp length from 716 mm to

8 approximately 986 mm plus the lugs is available when the

9 plain bearing sleeves 29 are each 20 mm long and the piston rods 28 are always

10 should be supported or guided over this entire length. The

11 plain bearing sleeves 29 have a diameter of 12 mm, which is

12 Diameter of the piston rods 28 is matched.

14 The embodiment described in detail above does not limit

is the range of design variations created by the invention.

The basic body 1 can also be a rectangular or generally polygonal

&igr;? cross-section or a circular cross-section. Instead of the

is Aluminium profile 2 can also be a different base plate both in terms of

is material, method of manufacture and form, such as

20 For example, extruded plastic profiles, cold-formed sheets or even

21 wooden boards that are particularly suitable for the well-kept interior of luxury vehicles

22. Accordingly, the plexiglass cover is also

23 Spreading device and protection cannot be used exclusively. Glass or

24 open, reflective rib structures can be used as a suitable cover

25. The above extensions also apply to all other

26 structural parts, for example made of aluminum. Each

27 Depending on the intended design, other materials may be used,

28 However, physical conditions such as heat resistance

29 some of these parts must be adequately complied with.

(N:\AN\95592.DOC) 11 August 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg »i **** .****. 4*%. *·% ; ^k *«Page 12

&igr; The structure and design of the length variability of the luminaire are

2 also only to the extent of the claims and also the provisions of this

3 Description of the advantageous embodiments of the invention

4. The plain bearing piston rods can be replaced by a variety of other

s designs that serve the same purpose. Only as an example

6 is a telescopic longitudinal adjustment of the base plate, as in the

7 aluminum profile. Furthermore, a grid can be used to adjust

8 discrete instead of continuously adjustable length dimensions of the entire lamp

9 should be provided.

11 Furthermore, other light sources than fluorescent tubes are also possible.

12 In particular, combinations of different types of light sources, such as

13 Fluorescent tubes for overall illumination and spotlights for highlighting, µgr; can be used. The latter can also be used directly or indirectly

is pivotable. A modular construction was already described above

is specified. With this design, relatively short closed units can be

&igr;? e.g. via suitable connections for support and supply

is connected to each other to obtain a length that already corresponds to the

19 Interior width of the vehicle in which the lamp is to be installed,

20, so that only a short distance can be covered by other

21 variable length devices, such as piston rods, can be compensated

22. Such a design also has the advantage that it is easy to

23 different lighting units can be combined.

25 The information provided in connection with the embodiment shown in the

2s Figures 1 and 2, described fastening and holding means can

27 can also be selected from the entire available range.

28 In particular, the tabs can, as already suggested above,

29 For example, alternatively or additionally, they can be provided with Velcro material that

30 is attached to a suitably rough surface of a vehicle roof,

(N:\AN\95592.DOC) 11 August 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ♦· .. » «***.*%. «••,^♦Page -]3

which creates a wider range of mounting options for the light.

Within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims and this description, in particular the advantageous developments specified therein, numerous variations are possible within the scope of expert knowledge without departing from the principles of the invention.

(N:\ANW5592.DOC) 11 August 1995

Patent Attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg ,* , »* _{t &bgr;} ·· ^·« ,« »,^ite

List of reference symbols

1 Base body 2 Extruded profile e.g. made of aluminium 3 Plexiglass cover 4 Housing partition 5 Upper housing 6 12-volt ballast 7 reflective underside 8th Double version 9 Fluorescent tube 10 Lower housing 11 lamp 12 Recording 13 - Lamp socket 14 Riveted joints 15 Screws 16 Cable clamps 17 Retaining clips 18 Spacer sleeves 19 transformer 20a, 20b Ballast unit 21 Nuts 22 Washers 23 Retaining plate 24 Side panel 25 Side panel 26 Aluminium blocks 27 Tab, bracket 28 Carriers, piston rods 29 Plain bearing sleeves or bushings, linear

(N:\AmBSS92.DOC) 11 August 1995

Patent attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg .· . ·· ··

30 Central opening

31 Longitudinal guides

(N.lAAri9SS92.DOC) August 11, 1995 ·!·· ..* ·..* .1. *..* *··* .!. *.·

Claims (1)

Expectations 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 1. Lamp that can be adapted to the roof of a motor vehicle to illuminate the interior of the vehicle, for example in exhibition rooms, marked - by a base body (1) spanning approximately the width of the roof liner, - by means of tabs (27) which are detachably fixed to the front sides of the base body (1) and which engage the roof liner when assembled, and - by an adjustment mechanism (28, 29) for at least one tab (27) for adjusting the span of the lamp (11) in the direction of the roof liner width. 2. Luminaire according to claim 1, marked by
an adjustment mechanism such that - that the tab (27) is fixed to the end of a rod-like support (28) and - that the carrier (28) forms a sliding guide with a bushing (29) arranged in the front side of the base body (1) for the stepless displacement of the carrier (28) in the bushing (29). 3. Luminaire according to claim 2, marked by an adjusting screw protruding into the bushing (29) and applying pressure to the carrier (28) for releasably fixing the carrier (28) in its respective assembly position. (MMM95S92.DOC) 11. Auflust 1995 Patent attorneys Tergau & Pohl, Nuremberg j .* . ; t ·**. . *..! ***? ^page &igr; 4. Luminaire according to one or more of the preceding claims, 2 characterized by 3 two parallel round steel bars (28) acting as supports and two corresponding 4 bushings (29) preferably on both front sides of the base body (1). 6 5. Luminaire according to one or more of the preceding claims, 7 characterized by β a division of the base body (1) into an upper housing (5) and a 9 Lower housing (10), wherein the lower housing (10) contains the lamps (9) and the io Upper housing (5) accommodates a 12-volt ballast (6). 12 6. Luminaire according to claim 5, 13 characterized by µ an approximately elliptical cross-sectional shape of the base body (1), the upper is the elliptical half of the upper housing (5) and its lower elliptical half 16 form the lower housing (10) and its 17 Housing partition (4) acts as a reflector (7). (N.lAN\SSS9a.DOC) 11 August 1995