EP4719829A1

EP4719829A1 - In-vehicle ceiling lamp

Info

Publication number: EP4719829A1
Application number: EP25823724.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mustafa Serdar Tütek
Original assignee: Serdar Plastik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Serdar Plastik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2024-08-05
Filing date: 2025-08-05
Publication date: 2026-04-08
Also published as: WO2026035230A1; TR2024010167A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a built-in in-vehicle lighting system, produced from recyclable thermoplastic for use in all vehicles in the automotive and other sectors, featuring low energy consumption LED lighting, long service life and environmental friendliness, and providing high illumination with an optimal structure of reflector (2) and lens (1). This invention introduces a significant innovation in in-vehicle lighting systems used in the automotive and other sectors. With features such as being manufactured from recyclable materials, low energy consumption, and long service life, it offers an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution. In addition, with its high lighting performance and aesthetically pleasing appearance, it also prioritises user comfort and safety. The button design of said in-vehicle lighting lamp includes an important feature with its single-button control system. It is characterised by providing a safer and more comfortable driving experience and giving the in-vehicle panel a modern and elegant appearance, by means of its ambient lighting feature that allows the cabin interior to be easily visible even in dark environments and enables users to comfortably control vehicle functions without diverting their attention from the road.

Description

Title of Invention: IN-VEHICLE CEILING LAMP

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a built-in in-vehicle lighting system, produced from thermoplastic for use in all vehicles in the automotive and other sectors, featuring low energy consumption LED lighting, long service life and environmental friendliness, and providing high illumination with optimal reflector and lens design without direct light exposure to the eyes.

[0002] This invention introduces a significant innovation in in-vehicle lighting systems used in the automotive and other sectors. With features such as operation with a single button, impermeability, being made of recyclable thermoplastic material, low energy consumption, and long service life, it offers an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution. In addition, with its high lighting performance and aesthetically pleasing appearance, it prioritises user comfort.

[0003] Said invention is an in-vehicle ceiling lamp made of recyclable thermoplastic material, and comprises the following components: Lens (1), Reflector (2), PCB (3), Terminal Insulator (4), Screw (5), Body (6), Label (7), and Elexible section (8), and is characterised by having a high sealing capability.

[0004] This innovative built-in in-vehicle lighting system can be used in any type of vehicle suitable for mounting, from automotive to aviation. The system is manufactured from recyclable thermoplastic. Thus, an environmentally friendly solution has been achieved.

[0005] With its smart single-button design and the ability to control all functions with a single button, it is user-friendly and practical. It also functions as ambient lighting, illuminating the working area even in the dark, thereby enhancing comfort and helping to prevent accidents by providing a safer driving experience.

State of the Art

[0006] In the state of the art, filament bulbs used as interior lighting systems in the automotive, agricultural, construction machinery, defence, maritime, and aviation sectors present many disadvantages. Eilament bulbs consume more energy compared to LEDs. This leads to higher electricity consumption and emissions. Eilament bulbs heat up during operation. This heat may damage other components within the vehicle and create an uncomfortable environment. Filament bulbs contain fragile glass bulbs that must be replaced regularly. This results in a loss of time and money. Filament bulbs occupy more space compared to LEDs and also have a short service life. This means more frequent bulb replacements are required. Due to these disadvantages, filament bulbs are being replaced by LED lighting systems today. [0007] LED lighting offers many advantages compared to filament bulbs. Since LED components consume less power, they allow for the use of smaller vehicle batteries, which are less harmful to the environment. LEDs consume significantly less energy compared to filament bulbs, which means lower emissions. LEDs have a much longer service life compared to filament bulbs. This means fewer bulb replacements are needed. LEDs do not heat up during operation. This also eliminates the risk of damaging other components inside the vehicle and provides a comfortable environment. LEDs are much more durable compared to filament bulbs. This means they are less sensitive to impact and vibration and also require no maintenance. This results in savings in both time and money. As a result, LED lighting — with these advantageous features — has made the use of LEDs as interior lighting systems increasingly preferred in the automotive, agricultural, construction machinery, defence, maritime, and aviation sectors.

[0008] In addition, in in-vehicle lamps with LEDs, models designed without reflectors reduce light efficiency. Using a greater number of LEDs, having high lumen values, and incorporating a reflector significantly increases light efficiency. Thus, a brighter and wider illumination area is provided while also saving energy.

Brief Description of the Invention

[0009] The present invention relates to a built-in in-vehicle lighting system, produced from recyclable thermoplastic for use in all vehicles in the automotive and other sectors, featuring low energy consumption LED lighting, long service life and environmental friendliness, and providing high illumination with an optimal structure of reflector (2) and lens (1).

[0010] This invention introduces a significant innovation in in-vehicle lighting systems used in the automotive and other sectors. With features such as being manufactured from recyclable materials, low energy consumption, and long service life, it offers an environmentally friendly and sustainable solution. In addition, with its high lighting performance and aesthetically pleasing appearance, it also prioritises user comfort and safety.

[0011] The button design of said in-vehicle lighting lamp includes an important feature with its single-button control system. It is characterised by providing a safer and more comfortable driving experience and giving the in-vehicle panel a modern and elegant appearance, by means of its ambient lighting feature that allows the cabin interior to be easily visible even in dark environments and enables users to comfortably control vehicle functions without diverting their attention from the road.

Detailed Description of the Invention [0012] Said invention relates to a built-in in-vehicle lighting system, produced from recyclable thermoplastic for use in all vehicles in the automotive and other sectors, featuring low energy consumption LED lighting, long service life and environmental friendliness, and providing high illumination with an optimal reflector (2) and lens (1) design.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] [Fig.l]. Front View of EE125 Ceiling Eamp

[0014] [Fig.2]. Front Perspective View of EL125 Ceiling Lamp

[0015] [Fig.3]. Rear Perspective View of EL125 Ceiling Lamp

[0016] [Fig.4]. Side View of EL125 Ceiling Lamp

[0017] [Fig.5]. Exploded View of EL125 Ceiling Lamp

References

[0018] 1. EL125 IP Ceiling Lens

2. EL 125 IP Ceiling Reflector

3. EL125 IP PCB

4. EL125 IP Terminal Insulator

5. EL 125 Screw

6. EL 125 IP Ceiling Body

7. EL125 IP Label

8. EL 125 Flexible Section

[0019] In said invention, the fatigue-reducing LED lighting and the specially shaped reflector (2) and lens (1) ensure homogeneous light distribution within the environment, and it is characterised by illuminating every corner of the vehicle in the most efficient manner with a higher-quality and more powerful light than other known interior lighting systems.

[0020] Said lamp is characterised not only by having a body (6) structure made of a tough and rigid material resistant to outdoor conditions and impacts, but also by having a body (6) produced from a lightweight thermoplastic material with high chemical resistance.

[0021] To ensure sealing in the lamp, welding has been applied at the junction between the lens (1) and the body (6). Thus, by eliminating any gap between the front lens (1) and the body (6), fluid ingress has been prevented and full sealing has been achieved. Additionally, by means of the connector with a terminal insulator (4), the entry of any liquid into the body (6) has been prevented, thereby achieving complete sealing. With the welding technology used in this lamp and the connectors equipped with a terminal insulator (4), the entire lamp has been made sealed. Thus, safe and long-lasting use has been ensured even under harsh climatic conditions. [0022] The ceiling lamp according to the invention is characterised by offering a modern lighting solution with many advantages such as energy savings, long service life, low heat emission, environmental friendliness, and high lighting performance, by means of the use of LEDs.

[0023] With the smart single-button located at the centre of the lamp, an integrated, functional, and minimalist design has been achieved. The smart single-button system located at the centre of the lamp’s body (6) enables the functions of the lamp to be easily controlled with a single button and allows the opposite function to be performed depending on the vehicle’s current state when the button is pressed. Thus, the use of the lamp has been made highly simple and practical, providing an easy and convenient lighting solution when needed.

[0024] Smart systems use various sensors and technologies to determine their position and detect different conditions. This information allows the systems to act accurately and offer a better experience to users. The smart button’s single-button feature simplifies the use of the lamp and offers users greater control with a single button. Smart systems can use sensors to detect specific states such as engine on/off. The data from these sensors enables the system to interpret the situation correctly and respond accordingly. It is characterised by having a smart system in the single-button setup, which allows the lamp to gradually light up by increasing intensity and to gradually turn off by dimming. In addition, by means of this single-button system, it detects the users' actions and responds accordingly. It prevents abrupt transitions from bright light to darkness or vice versa, thereby reducing eye fatigue, and the slow on/off movement gives the lamp a technological, modern, and stylish appearance.

[0025] There is no connecting bolt between the PCB (3) and the lens (1); the PCB (3) is fixed to the lamp without any additional fastening element. The body (6), PCB (3), reflector (2), and lens (1) are characterised by the presence of a flexible section (8) on the reflector that compensates for gaps caused by tolerance values of the lower parts during assembly, without undergoing plastic deformation throughout the product’s service life.

[0026] The flexible section (8) used in this invention, which facilitates the production process of the lamp, provides a durable and long-lasting connection; the flexible section (8) ensures a strong and secure attachment by tightly gripping the body and other components of the lamp, and is made of a tough, rigid material that does not undergo plastic deformation. Thus, it maintains its durability throughout the lamp’s service life; the flexible section (8) has the ability to compensate for the gaps caused by the tolerance values of the lower parts during assembly. Thus, it ensures that the lamp is always mounted properly and smoothly. [0027] Many ceiling lamps available on the market are mounted using separate screws and fixed in place with silicone. This method has certain disadvantages. Mounting the lamp with screws and silicone can be a time-consuming and complex process. Over time, the screws may loosen, and the silicone may leak. This may cause the lamp to shake or fall. Screws and silicone may also spoil the appearance of the lamp. In said invention, to solve these problems, two slits are made on the reflector. Thus, the reflector becomes flexible and can compensate for the gaps caused by the tolerances in the lower part. Some advantages of this method are that the flexible section (8) ensures a strong and secure connection by tightly gripping the lamp’s body and other components.

[0028] Said invention is characterised by its built-in body (6) structure, which allows it to be mounted recessed into even the narrowest ceilings, and by its stepped latch structure, which enables it to be installed and removed on ceiling panels of different thicknesses without the need for an additional adapter, and also ensures gap-free fixation by fully settling into the mounting chamber during installation.

[0029] In this invention, two different methods are used to ensure high sealing between the lamp’s body (6) and other components. One of these is the UW welding method, which is a liquid-tight and high-strength welding method. The UW weld ensures complete sealing between the lamp’s body (6) and other components, preventing the ingress of water, dust, and other contaminants, and enabling the lamp to be long-lasting and durable. The other method is the shear joint structure; the shear joint structure provides an additional level of sealing at the latches and support points. Thus, the risk of even the slightest leakage from the lamp is eliminated, and the shear joint structure ensures the lamp is even more robust and secure. As a result, the combined use of these methods is characterised by enabling the lamp to provide complete sealing even under the most demanding conditions and to operate reliably for many years.

[0030] Many ceiling lamps available on the market are mounted using separate screws and fixed in place with silicone. This method can be a complicated and time-consuming process, and over time, the screws may loosen and the silicone may leak. This may cause the lamp to shake or fall, and screws and silicone may spoil the appearance of the lamp. In said invention, to solve these problems, two slits are made on the reflector. Thus, the reflector becomes flexible and can compensate for the gaps caused by the tolerances in the lower part. Some advantages of this method are that the flexible section (8) ensures a strong and secure connection by tightly gripping the lamp’s body and other components.

[0031] Said invention is characterised by greatly simplifying the user experience by reducing all the vehicle's lighting functions to a single button, and by enabling all functional behaviours to be carried out with a single button depending on the vehicle’s various conditions (e.g. door open/closed - ignition on/off, etc.).

Claims

[Claim 1] An in-vehicle ceiling lamp, characterised in that, to ensure sealing in the lamp, shear joint welding and UW welding are used at the junction of the lens (1) and the body (6), thereby any gap between the front lens (1) and the body (6) is eliminated and complete sealing is ensured, which enables safe and long-lasting use even under harsh climatic conditions.

[Claim 2] In-vehicle ceiling lamp according to Claim 1, characterised in that the smart single -button system located at the centre of the lamp enables the functions of the lamp to be easily controlled with a single button and allows switching between different lighting modes, making the use of the lamp highly simple and practical, and providing an easy and convenient lighting solution when needed.

[Claim 3] In-vehicle ceiling lamp according to Claim 1, characterised in that, since no connecting bolt is present between the PCB (3) and the lens (1), and therefore the PCB (3) is fixed to the lamp without using any additional fastening element, the body (6), PCB (3), reflector (2), and lens (1) comprise a flexible section (8) on the reflector, which flexes to compensate for the gaps caused by the tolerance values of the lower parts during assembly, without undergoing plastic deformation throughout the product’ s service life.

[Claim 4] In-vehicle ceiling lamp according to Claim 1, characterised in that, by means of its built-in body structure, it allows recessed mounting even into the narrowest ceilings, and by means of its stepped latch structure, it can be installed and removed on ceiling panels of varying thicknesses without requiring an additional adapter, and can be fully seated in the mounting cavity during installation, ensuring gap-free fixation.

[Claim 5] In-vehicle ceiling lamp according to Claim 1, characterised in that, in order to ensure high sealing between the lamp’s body and other components, shear joint welding and UW welding are used, thereby complete sealing is ensured between the lamp’s body and other components, preventing the ingress of water, dust, and other contaminants, and the UW welding ensures that the lamp is long- lasting and durable.

[Claim 6] In-vehicle ceiling lamp according to Claim 1, characterised in that, in order to ensure high sealing between the lamp’s body and other components, the shear joint structure is used, providing additional sealing at the latches and support points, thereby the risk of even the slightest leakage from the lamp is eliminated, and the shear joint structure makes the lamp even more robust and secure.

[Claim 7] In-vehicle ceiling lamp according to Claim 1, characterised in that, in order to solve issues related to screw-based mounting, silicone fixing, and similar methods commonly used on the market, two slits are formed on the reflector, thereby the reflector becomes flexible and can compensate for the gaps caused by tolerances in the lower parts, and by means of this method, the flexible section (8) tightly grips the lamp’s body and other components, providing a strong and secure connection.

[Claim 8] In-vehicle ceiling lamp according to Claim 1, characterised in that said invention simplifies the user experience significantly by reducing all lighting-related functions of the vehicle to a single button, and enables all functional behaviours to be carried out with a single button depending on the vehicle’s various conditions (e.g. door open/closed - ignition on/off, etc.).