US20020085377A1 - Passenger-cabin lighting device - Google Patents
Passenger-cabin lighting device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020085377A1 US20020085377A1 US09/437,247 US43724799A US2002085377A1 US 20020085377 A1 US20020085377 A1 US 20020085377A1 US 43724799 A US43724799 A US 43724799A US 2002085377 A1 US2002085377 A1 US 2002085377A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- light emitting
- lighting device
- passenger
- semitransparent
- light
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V5/00—Refractors for light sources
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/60—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by optical aspects
- B60Q3/62—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by optical aspects using light guides
- B60Q3/64—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors characterised by optical aspects using light guides for a single lighting device
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/80—Circuits; Control arrangements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/80—Circuits; Control arrangements
- B60Q3/85—Circuits; Control arrangements for manual control of the light, e.g. of colour, orientation or intensity
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q3/00—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors
- B60Q3/80—Circuits; Control arrangements
- B60Q3/88—Means for plugging to the electrical power supply of the vehicle, e.g. by using cigarette lighter sockets
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V2200/00—Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems
- F21V2200/30—Use of light guides, e.g. fibre optic devices, in lighting devices or systems of light guides doped with fluorescent agents
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
- F21W2106/00—Interior vehicle lighting devices
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
- F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
- F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S362/00—Illumination
- Y10S362/80—Light emitting diode
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a passenger-cabin lighting device with a light emitting diode (referred with “LED” hereinafter), which is operable as a spot lighting device or an illuminator.
- LED light emitting diode
- a passenger-cabin lighting device of the type which receives electric power from a cigarette socket of a cigarette lighter ot the vehicle.
- This type of the passenger-cabin lighting device uses a predetermined bulb as a light source, and is used as a lighting device or an illuminator.
- the bulb When the bulb is lighted for the lighting or illuminating purpose, a load to a car battery increases. The increased load will adversely affect the starting operation of a starter of the vehicle or car.
- the passenger-cabin lighting device may be used as an illuminator, indeed. However, its function of color expression is simple to such a degree that it is only enough to produce seasonal atmosphere created by cabin temperature in summer or winter.
- an object of the present invention includes provision of a passenger-cabin lighting device which enables less power consumption, sophisticated and dramatic color expression, and hence increases the range of its use.
- a passenger-cabin lighting device comprising: a light emitting body having a transparent member including a layer made of synthetic resin not containing scattering material, one of the surfaces of the transparent member as viewed in the thickness direction serving as a light reflecting surface and the other surface being a light emitting surface, and a semitransparent member including semitransparent synthetic resin containing scattering material, the semitransparent amber being bonded to the inside of the transparent member; a plurality of light emitting diodes for projecting light into the transparent member and the semitransparent member, the light emitting diodes being provided in one of the end face of at least the light emitting body; and a control circuit of an electronic control unit and the like for controlling flickering of the plurality of light emitting diodes.
- the light emitting diodes preferably emit light of at least two colors.
- the light emitting diodes preferably emit light of three primary colors.
- control circuit for controlling the flickering of the plurality of light emitting diodes selectively performs a control for spot lighting or an illumination control.
- control circuit for controlling the flickering of the light emitting diodes varies colors one to another in a time sequential manner.
- FIG. 1 is a view showing an overall passenger-cabin lighting device which is an embodiment of the present i nvention, a key portion of the lighting device being sectionally shown;
- FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a key portion of a passenger-cabin lighting device which is a second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the passenger-cabin lighting device of the first embodiment.
- FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a flow of the control for the passenger-cabin lighting device of the first embodinent.
- FIG. 1 is a view showing an overall passenger-cabin lighting device which is an embodiment of the present invention, a key portion of the lighting device being sectionally shown.
- FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2.
- FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a key portion of a passenger-cabin Xlighting device which is a second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the passenger-cabin Lighting device of the first embodiment.
- FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of the control for the passenger-cabin lighting device of the first embodiment.
- a cylindrical transparent member 11 is made of a transparent material not containing light scattering material.
- the cylindrical transparent member 11 may be made of thermoplastic resin such as acrylic resin, polystyrene, AS resin, polycarbonate, acryl-styrene monomer copolymer resin, or the like.
- This transparent member 11 may be also made of thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin, urethane resin or the like.
- the outer peripheral eurfaoe of transparent member 11 serves as a 1 ight emitting surface, and the inner surface thereof serves as a light reflecting surface for reflecting the light emitted from a semitransparent member 12 hereinafter described.
- the column-like semitransparent member 12 may be formed with a s emitransparent resin layer containing scattering material ot. thermoplastic resin, such as acrylic resin, Polystyrene, AS resin, polycarbonate, acryl-styrene monomer copolymer resin, or the like.
- the column-like semitransparent member 12 is bonded onito the inner surface of the cylindrical transparent mexmer 11 .
- the semitransparent thermoplastics containing scattering material may also be replaced with thermosetting resin, such as epoxy resin, uxethane reEin, or the like.
- a convex transparent member 13 is made of transparent material not containing scattering material, which is thermoplastics as of the cylindrical transparent meNber 11 .
- the convex transparent member 13 is bonded, by adhesive, to one end (first end) of the combination of the cylindrical transparent inemeer 11 and the column-like semitransparent member 12
- the passenger-cabin lighting device may also be manutactured in the following manner.
- a semitransparent member 12 made of resin containing scattering material iS poured into a cylindrical transparent member 11 , which is made of transparent material not containing scattering material and is closed at one end with a convex transparent member 13 , whereby the semitransparent member 12 is bonded to the transparent member 11 .
- the cylindrical transparent member 11 , semitransparent member 12 and transparent meember 13 cooperate to form a light emitting body 10 .
- a diffusion layer 14 is formed in the interface between those joined resin members. Even if any of the transparent members 11 and 13 and the semitransparent member 12 is first formed, the diffusion layer 14 is inevitably formed when those resin members are united into a single body.
- the semitransparent member 12 is used in order to form the diffusion layer 14 in the interface between the resin members when those are joined together, especially, on the outer peripheral surface of the the semitransparent member 12 for dif fusing and emitting light.
- the amount of scattering material used may be small,.
- the outer peripheral surface Cof the column-like semitransparent member 12 serves as a light emitting surface as well as a light diffusion surface.
- the diffusion layer 14 is formed by mixing powder scattering material such as TiC 2 into the resin,, or by mixing noncompatible resin into the semitransparent member 12 , or by other manners.
- a plurality of LEDs 16 are provided on the other end (second end) of the combination of the transparent member 11 and the semitransparent member 12 .
- Each of LEDs comprises LED lamps 16 of red, green and blue.
- An LED device is constituted by a printed circuit board 17 , and the LED lamps 16 of red, green and blue, which are mounted on the printed circuit board 17 .
- the LEDs 16 including red, green and blue LED lamps are put in concavities formed in the second end of the combination of the transparent member 11 and the semitransparent member 12 .
- the former is bonded to the surface of the concavity by adhesive so as to minimize light reflection by the end face of the combined members 11 and 12 .
- the LED device includes paired LED lamps 16 of red. green and blue, those LED lamps may be substituted by LED chips 16 of red, green and blue.
- the LED device which is put on the second end of the column-like semitransparent member 12 , contains LED chips 16 of three primary colors, red, green and blue.
- the passenger-cabin lighting device of this embodiment may be manufactured by the following method. Paired LED lamps or chips of red, green and blue (those LED lamps and chips will be referred generally to as LED elements frequently), which are mounted on the printed circuit board 17 , is prepared. A semitransparent member 12 is formed on the printed circuit bodrd with the paired LED lamps or chips. Then, a transparent member 11 is formed on the resultant structure.
- This method is advantageous in that it eliminates the bonding work for bonding the LED device, the transparent member 11 and the semitransparent member 12 by adhesive, and that light is imore efficiently input to the structure.
- an amount of light input from the LED device to the diffusion layer 14 is preferable to increase an amount of light input from the LED device to the diffusion layer 14 as the bonding surface between the transparent member 11 and the semitransparent member 12 rather than the column-like semitransparent member 12 .
- a ratio of the amount of light from the LED device to the transparent member 11 to the amount of light from the same to the semitransparent member 12 is not of significance in-the embodiment under discussion.
- an electronic control circuit 21 for controlling a light emission from the LED device with duty ratio which is mounted on the printed circuit board 17 , a mode switch 22 and a subswitch 23 are assembled into one unit of a synthetic resin housing 32 by molding process.
- the mode switch 22 and the subrwitch 23 each consisting of a four-position switch,. are arrayed side by side.
- the subswitch 23 is sued for changing colors and varying an intensity of light.
- the electronic control unit 20 receives electric power from a cigarette lighter socket 31 , which is coupled to a car battery 25 .
- the cigarette lighter socket 31 and the housing 32 are mechanically interconnected by means of a flexible tube 30 which contains a lead wire therein.
- the lead wire electrically connects the electronic control unit 20 to the car battery 25 .
- the electronic control circuit 21 for controlling a light emission in terms of duty ratio, the mode switch 22 as a four-position switch, and the subawitch 23 as a four-position switch for changing colors and varying an intensity of light are arranged and set at predetermined positions, and inthis state, and are fixed by injectionmolding the housing 32 .
- the electronic control circuit 21 for controlling the duty ratio of the plurality of LEns 15 contains a microcomputer as a major component.
- the mode switcb 22 (four-position switch) includes a movable contact and fixed contacts 0 to 3 .
- the movable contact of the mode Switch 22 is connected to one end (first end) of the car battery 25 .
- the fixed contacts of the mode switch 22 are connected to the first ends of the diodes 24 , respectively.
- the second ends of the diodes 24 are connected together to the electronic control circuit 21 .
- the subswitch 23 (four-position switch) also includes a movable contact and fixed contacts 0 to 3 .
- the mauvable contact of the subswitch 23 is also connected to the first end of the car battery 25 .
- the fixed contacts 0 to 3 of the subswitch 23 are directly connected to the electronic control circuit 21 , respectively.
- the electronic control circuit 21 is connected at the output terminals to the LEns 16 of the LE 3 D device.
- the passenger-cabin lighting device of the invention is operable in different modes, mode C to mode 3 .
- mode switch 22 is operated.
- the fixed contacts 0 to 3 of the mode switch 22 correspond to those operation modes 0 to 4 .
- To select the mode 0 O the mode switch 22 is operated to bring the movable contact into contact with the fixed contact 0 .
- the details of the operation of the mode switch 22 will subsequently be described.
- the passenger-cabin lighting device of the first embodiment is designed as a spot lighting device. However, it should be understood that the passenger-cabin lighting device of the invention is applicable to other devices than the spot lighting device.
- FIG. 3 there is shown another embodiment Or a passenger-cabin lighting device according to the present invention.
- like or equivalent portions are designated by like reference numerals FIGS. 1 and 2, for Simplification.
- a cup-shaped transparent member tl is made of transparent material not containing scattering material.
- a semitransparent member 12 which is formed within the transparent member h 1 r is made of thermoplastics containing scattering material.
- thermoplastics containing scattering material To form the semitransparent member 12 , semitransparent material of thermoplastics is poured into the hollow of the transparent member 11 . In the resultant structure, the semitransparent member 12 is bonded to the inner surface of the transparent member 11 .
- the structure of the transparent member 1 I 1 and the semitransparent member 12 is capable of substantially uniformly radiating light.
- the mode switch 22 When the mode switch 22 is operated and its operation mode is changed from a mode 0 to any of modes 1 to 3 .
- the mode 0 is set up when the movable contact ot the mode switch 22 is brought into contact with the fixed contact 0 .
- the fixed contact 0 for the mode 0 is connected to nothing. Accordingly, in the mode 0 , no electric power is supplied to the electronic control circuit 21 .
- the fixed contacts 1 to 3 fur the modes 1 to 3 are connected through the diodes 24 to the electronic control circuit 21 . Therefore, when any of the modes 1 to 3 is set up, electric power is supplied to the electronic control circuit 21 to render it active, viz., to start a program stored in the electronic control circuit 21 to run.
- a step S 6 lights on the all LSD elements simultaneously.
- the time-division control can be executed taking the duty ratio into consideration not to simnultaneously supply electric power to a plurality of LED elements.
- the medium lighting position 2 and weak lighting position 3 are selected and the duty rati is 33% or less, a load to the car battery 25 Ls below a predetermined level and uniform. This Leads to elongation of the lifetime of the car battery 25 ; an energy saving mode is set up. In this case, appropriate increase of the frequency of the flickering of the lighting device Lessens the flickering to be negligible for the human eyes.
- the peak current feeding is used for the intenEB lighting (continuous lighting).
- the simultaneous lighting mode in which the LED elements 16 of the LED device are simultaneously lighted on is suitable for a spot illumination carried out by emitting light from the convex transparent member 13 .
- the spot lighting may be used for writing of memos, reading and searching.
- a step S 11 sequentially lights on the LED elements of red, green and blue in this order, for example; it sets up a duty-varying lighting mode.
- this mode may be used for cabin illumination.
- attention may be attracted to the car being on display. Further, during running of two cars in the night, if the first car operates the lighting device in this modef a driver of the second car can easily recognize the first car.
- the passenger cabin of the car may be lighted up with red, green and blue colors.
- the output signal of the LED device Is controlled in the torm of a change of the duty ratio.
- the same thing may be realized by changing the pair of LEDS 16 to be lighted.
- the pair of LEDs are switched so as to inhibit the LED device located at the end of the semitransparent member 12 from lighting.
- the passenger-cabin lighting device of each embodiment comprises: a light emitting body 10 having a transparent member 11 including a layer made of synthetic resin not containing scattering material, one of the sarfaces of the transparent member as viewed in the thickness direction serving as a light reflecting surface and the other surface being a light emitting surtaces and a semitransparent member 12 including semitransparent synthetic resin containing scattering material, the semitransparent member being bonded to the inside of the transparent meiaber 11 ; a plurality of LEDs 16 for projecting light into the transparent member 11 and the semitransparent member 12 , the LEns 16 being provided in one of the end face of at least the light emitting body 10 ; and a control circuit of an electronic control unit 20 and the like for controlling flickering of the plurality of LEDS 16 .
- the passenger-cabin lighting device enables the driver to light the passenger cabin of a car with a desired color. Further, it may be used for lighting and illuminating the passenger cabin, and for highlighting the car itself. Further, it is noted that the LED device is flickered. This feature results in less power consumption, and sophisticated and dramatic color expression, and hence increases the range of its use. Further, it is noted that light emitted from the LED device can be scattered by the diffusion layer at high efficiency without forming a reflecting surface, e.g. , a white coating, on the light introducing portion or the transparent member 11 . Additionally, the passenger-cabin lighting device provides a less costly construction when comparing with the lighting device of the type in which the inner surface of the transparent member 11 is processed for prism.
- the LED device capable of emitting light of two or more number of colors is used, a desired color may be produced. where the LED device is capable of emitting light of three primary colors, every color can be produced, and the passenger cabin of the car being on view may be lighted with white light.
- the control circuit of the electronic control unit 20 for controlling the flickering of the LED device selectively pertorms a control for s pot lighting or an illumination control. Therefore, the user can selectively use either of those controls according to his desire.
- the control circuit of the electronic control unit 20 for controlling the flickering operation of the LED device varies colors one to another in a time sequential manner. This function enables the user to produce in-cabin illumination of the car being on display as desired.
- the passenger-cabin lighting device of each embodiment satisfying the requirement of securing a bonding surface between the transparent member 11 and the semitransparent member 12 suffices for a light emitting body 10 , which has a transparent member 11 including a layer made of synthetic resin not containing scattering material, one of the surfaces of the transparent member as viewed in the thickness direction serving as a light reflecting surface and the other surface being a light emitting surface, and a semitransparent member 12 including semitransparent synthetic resin containing scattering material, the semitransparent member being bonded to the Inside of the transparent mber 11 . Therefore, the light emitting body 10 may be shaped as desired.
- the mode switch 22 and the subswitch 23 are used in the above-mentioned embodiirents. If required, the mode switch 22 may be substituted by a sensor.
- the sensor may be a sensor for sensing a pitch or an intensity of sound within the cabin, an antitheft sensor, or a temperature sensor. Use of the sensor allows information gathered from the sensor to be caught outside the car.
- Thea shape of the light emitting body is not limited to the shapes of the aforementioned embodiments.
- the light emitting body may be shaped in a plate-like body or the like.
- the present invention provides a passenger-cabin lighting device, comprising: a light emitting body having a transparent member including a layer made of synthetic resin not containing scattering material, one of the surfaces of the transparent member as viewed in the thickness direction serving as a light reflecting surface and the other surface being a light emitting surface, and a semitransparent member including semitransparent synthetic resin containing scattering material, the semitransparent member being bonded to the inside of the transparent member; a plurality of LEDs for projecting light into the transparent meember and the semitransparent member, the LEDs being provided in one of the end face of at least the light emitting body; and a control circuit of an electronic control unit and the like for controlling flickering of the LEDs.
- the passenger-cabin lighting device thus constructed accrues to the following significant advantages.
- the passenger cabin of the car may be lighted with a desired color.
- the lighting device may be used for lighting and illuminating the passenger cabin, and for highlighting the car itself. Further, the LED device is flickered. This feature enables less power consumption, intricate and dramatic color expression, and hence increases the range of its use. Further, it eliminates the necessity of coating the light introducing portion of the transparent member with white material or processing the same location for prism. This results in reduction of cost to manufacture.
- the passenger-cabin lighting device consumes less electric power, and is capable of producing intricate color expression. rf it is combined with various types of sensors, the range of its use is increased.
- the LED device emits light of at least two colors. Therefore, the lighting device has an advantage of producing color expression as desired, in addition to the advantages of the above passenger-cabin lighting device.
- the light emitting diodes emit light of three primary colors. Therefore, the lighting device has an advantage of producing expression of every kind of color, in addition to the advantages of the above passenger-cabin lighting device.
- the control circuit for controlling the flickering of the plurality of light emitting diodes selectively performs a control fQr spot lighting—or an illumination control. Therefore, the user can selectively use either of those controls according to his desire in addition to the advantages of the above paasenger-cabin lighting device.
- the control circuit of the electronic control unit for controlling the flickering of the light emitting diodes varies colors one to another in a time sequential manner. This function enables the user to produce in-cabin illumination of the car being on display as desired, in addition to the advantages of the above passenger-cabin lighting device.
Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Inyvntion
- The present invention relates to a passenger-cabin lighting device with a light emitting diode (referred with “LED” hereinafter), which is operable as a spot lighting device or an illuminator.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- There is known a passenger-cabin lighting device of the type which receives electric power from a cigarette socket of a cigarette lighter ot the vehicle. This type of the passenger-cabin lighting device uses a predetermined bulb as a light source, and is used as a lighting device or an illuminator.
- When the bulb is lighted for the lighting or illuminating purpose, a load to a car battery increases. The increased load will adversely affect the starting operation of a starter of the vehicle or car. The passenger-cabin lighting device may be used as an illuminator, indeed. However, its function of color expression is simple to such a degree that it is only enough to produce seasonal atmosphere created by cabin temperature in summer or winter.
- Accordingly, an object of the present invention includes provision of a passenger-cabin lighting device which enables less power consumption, sophisticated and dramatic color expression, and hence increases the range of its use.
- To achieve the above object, there is provided a passenger-cabin lighting device comprising: a light emitting body having a transparent member including a layer made of synthetic resin not containing scattering material, one of the surfaces of the transparent member as viewed in the thickness direction serving as a light reflecting surface and the other surface being a light emitting surface, and a semitransparent member including semitransparent synthetic resin containing scattering material, the semitransparent amber being bonded to the inside of the transparent member; a plurality of light emitting diodes for projecting light into the transparent member and the semitransparent member, the light emitting diodes being provided in one of the end face of at least the light emitting body; and a control circuit of an electronic control unit and the like for controlling flickering of the plurality of light emitting diodes.
- The light emitting diodes preferably emit light of at least two colors.
- The light emitting diodes preferably emit light of three primary colors.
- Preferably, the control circuit for controlling the flickering of the plurality of light emitting diodes selectively performs a control for spot lighting or an illumination control.
- Preferably, the control circuit for controlling the flickering of the light emitting diodes varies colors one to another in a time sequential manner.
- Features and advantages of the invention will be evident from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments described in conjunction with the attached drawings.
- In the accompanying drawings:
- FIG. 1 is a view showing an overall passenger-cabin lighting device which is an embodiment of the present i nvention, a key portion of the lighting device being sectionally shown;
- FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2;
- FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a key portion of a passenger-cabin lighting device which is a second embodiment of the invention;
- FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the passenger-cabin lighting device of the first embodiment; and
- FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing a flow of the control for the passenger-cabin lighting device of the first embodinent.
- The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
- FIG. 1 is a view showing an overall passenger-cabin lighting device which is an embodiment of the present invention, a key portion of the lighting device being sectionally shown. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a key portion of a passenger-cabin Xlighting device which is a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a control circuit for controlling the passenger-cabin Lighting device of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of the control for the passenger-cabin lighting device of the first embodiment.
- Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2. A cylindrical
transparent member 11 is made of a transparent material not containing light scattering material. The cylindricaltransparent member 11 may be made of thermoplastic resin such as acrylic resin, polystyrene, AS resin, polycarbonate, acryl-styrene monomer copolymer resin, or the like. Thistransparent member 11 may be also made of thermosetting resin such as epoxy resin, urethane resin or the like. The outer peripheral eurfaoe oftransparent member 11 serves as a 1ight emitting surface, and the inner surface thereof serves as a light reflecting surface for reflecting the light emitted from asemitransparent member 12 hereinafter described. - The column-like
semitransparent member 12 may be formed with a s emitransparent resin layer containing scattering material ot. thermoplastic resin, such as acrylic resin, Polystyrene, AS resin, polycarbonate, acryl-styrene monomer copolymer resin, or the like. The column-likesemitransparent member 12 is bonded onito the inner surface of the cylindricaltransparent mexmer 11. The semitransparent thermoplastics containing scattering material may also be replaced with thermosetting resin, such as epoxy resin, uxethane reEin, or the like. - A convex
transparent member 13 is made of transparent material not containing scattering material, which is thermoplastics as of the cylindricaltransparent meNber 11. The convextransparent member 13 is bonded, by adhesive, to one end (first end) of the combination of the cylindricaltransparent inemeer 11 and the column-likesemitransparent member 12 - The passenger-cabin lighting device may also be manutactured in the following manner. A
semitransparent member 12 made of resin containing scattering material iS poured into a cylindricaltransparent member 11, which is made of transparent material not containing scattering material and is closed at one end with a convextransparent member 13, whereby thesemitransparent member 12 is bonded to thetransparent member 11. - The cylindrical
transparent member 11,semitransparent member 12 andtransparent meember 13 cooperate to form alight emitting body 10. - In the structure in which the
transparent members semitransparent metber 12 made of thermoplastics is used as a filling member, adiffusion layer 14 is formed in the interface between those joined resin members. Even if any of thetransparent members semitransparent member 12 is first formed, thediffusion layer 14 is inevitably formed when those resin members are united into a single body. Thesemitransparent member 12 is used in order to form thediffusion layer 14 in the interface between the resin members when those are joined together, especially, on the outer peripheral surface of the thesemitransparent member 12 for dif fusing and emitting light. - Therefore, the amount of scattering material used may be small,. In this embodiment, the outer peripheral surface Cof the column-like
semitransparent member 12 serves as a light emitting surface as well as a light diffusion surface. Thediffusion layer 14 is formed by mixing powder scattering material such as TiC2 into the resin,, or by mixing noncompatible resin into thesemitransparent member 12, or by other manners. - A plurality of
LEDs 16 are provided on the other end (second end) of the combination of thetransparent member 11 and thesemitransparent member 12. Each of LEDs comprisesLED lamps 16 of red, green and blue. An LED device is constituted by a printedcircuit board 17, and theLED lamps 16 of red, green and blue, which are mounted on the printedcircuit board 17. TheLEDs 16 including red, green and blue LED lamps are put in concavities formed in the second end of the combination of thetransparent member 11 and thesemitransparent member 12. The former is bonded to the surface of the concavity by adhesive so as to minimize light reflection by the end face of the combinedmembers - While the LED device includes paired
LED lamps 16 of red. green and blue, those LED lamps may be substituted byLED chips 16 of red, green and blue. In this case, the LED device, which is put on the second end of the column-likesemitransparent member 12, containsLED chips 16 of three primary colors, red, green and blue. - The passenger-cabin lighting device of this embodiment may be manufactured by the following method. Paired LED lamps or chips of red, green and blue (those LED lamps and chips will be referred generally to as LED elements frequently), which are mounted on the printed
circuit board 17, is prepared. Asemitransparent member 12 is formed on the printed circuit bodrd with the paired LED lamps or chips. Then, atransparent member 11 is formed on the resultant structure. This method is advantageous in that it eliminates the bonding work for bonding the LED device, thetransparent member 11 and thesemitransparent member 12 by adhesive, and that light is imore efficiently input to the structure. In the embodiment, it is preferable to increase an amount of light input from the LED device to thediffusion layer 14 as the bonding surface between thetransparent member 11 and thesemitransparent member 12 rather than the column-likesemitransparent member 12. A ratio of the amount of light from the LED device to thetransparent member 11 to the amount of light from the same to thesemitransparent member 12 is not of significance in-the embodiment under discussion. - To form an
electronic control unit 20, anelectronic control circuit 21 for controlling a light emission from the LED device with duty ratio, which is mounted on the printedcircuit board 17, amode switch 22 and asubswitch 23 are assembled into one unit of asynthetic resin housing 32 by molding process. Themode switch 22 and thesubrwitch 23, each consisting of a four-position switch,. are arrayed side by side. - The
subswitch 23 is sued for changing colors and varying an intensity of light. Theelectronic control unit 20 receives electric power from a cigarettelighter socket 31, which is coupled to acar battery 25. The cigarettelighter socket 31 and thehousing 32 are mechanically interconnected by means of aflexible tube 30 which contains a lead wire therein. The lead wire electrically connects theelectronic control unit 20 to thecar battery 25. For the formation of theelectronic control unit 20, theelectronic control circuit 21 for controlling a light emission in terms of duty ratio, themode switch 22 as a four-position switch, and the subawitch 23 as a four-position switch for changing colors and varying an intensity of light are arranged and set at predetermined positions, and inthis state, and are fixed by injectionmolding thehousing 32. - As shown in FIG. 4, the
electronic control circuit 21 for controlling the duty ratio of the plurality of LEns 15, which forms theelectronic control unit 20, contains a microcomputer as a major component. The mode switcb 22 (four-position switch) includes a movable contact and fixedcontacts 0 to 3. The movable contact of themode Switch 22 is connected to one end (first end) of thecar battery 25. The fixed contacts of themode switch 22 are connected to the first ends of thediodes 24, respectively. The second ends of thediodes 24 are connected together to theelectronic control circuit 21. The subswitch 23 (four-position switch) also includes a movable contact and fixedcontacts 0 to 3. The mauvable contact of thesubswitch 23 is also connected to the first end of thecar battery 25. The fixedcontacts 0 to 3 of the subswitch 23 are directly connected to theelectronic control circuit 21, respectively. Theelectronic control circuit 21 is connected at the output terminals to theLEns 16 of the LE3D device. The passenger-cabin lighting device of the invention is operable in different modes, mode C tomode 3. To select a desired operation mode of the lighting device, themode switch 22 is operated. The fixedcontacts 0 to 3 of themode switch 22 correspond to thoseoperation modes 0 to 4. To select the mode 0O themode switch 22 is operated to bring the movable contact into contact with the fixedcontact 0. The details of the operation of themode switch 22 will subsequently be described. - The passenger-cabin lighting device of the first embodiment is designed as a spot lighting device. However, it should be understood that the passenger-cabin lighting device of the invention is applicable to other devices than the spot lighting device.
- Turning now to FIG. 3, there is shown another embodiment Or a passenger-cabin lighting device according to the present invention. In the figure, like or equivalent portions are designated by like reference numerals FIGS. 1 and 2, for Simplification.
- A cup-shaped transparent member tl is made of transparent material not containing scattering material. A
semitransparent member 12, which is formed within the transparent member h1r is made of thermoplastics containing scattering material. To form thesemitransparent member 12, semitransparent material of thermoplastics is poured into the hollow of thetransparent member 11. In the resultant structure, thesemitransparent member 12 is bonded to the inner surface of thetransparent member 11. - The structure of the transparent member1I1 and the
semitransparent member 12 is capable of substantially uniformly radiating light. - The operations of the passenger-cabin lighting devices of the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described.
- When the
mode switch 22 is operated and its operation mode is changed from amode 0 to any ofmodes 1 to 3. As already stated, themode 0 is set up when the movable contact ot themode switch 22 is brought into contact with the fixedcontact 0. The fixedcontact 0 for themode 0 is connected to nothing. Accordingly, in themode 0, no electric power is supplied to theelectronic control circuit 21. The fixedcontacts 1 to 3 fur themodes 1 to 3 are connected through thediodes 24 to theelectronic control circuit 21. Therefore, when any of themodes 1 to 3 is set up, electric power is supplied to theelectronic control circuit 21 to render it active, viz., to start a program stored in theelectronic control circuit 21 to run. A step S1 in the program judges which of themodes 1 to 3 is set up by themode switch 22. If themode 1 is set up, a step S2 judges which of the fixed contacts of thesubswitch 23 for color selection and light intensity varying is selected (viz., to which its movable contact is set). It the fixed contact 1 (=position 1 for strong lighting) of thesubewitch 23 is selected, a step S3 places the lighting device in a continuous lighting mode. If the fixed contact 2 (=position 2 for medium lighting) is selected, a step S4 sets the duty ratio at 33%. If thefixed contact 3em position 3 for weak lighting) is selected, a step S5 sets the duty ratio at 20%., - A step S6 lights on the all LSD elements simultaneously. In particular when the
nledium lighting position 2 andweak lighting position 3 are selected, the time-division control can be executed taking the duty ratio into consideration not to simnultaneously supply electric power to a plurality of LED elements. In particular when themedium lighting position 2 andweak lighting position 3 are selected and the duty rati is 33% or less, a load to thecar battery 25 Ls below a predetermined level and uniform. This Leads to elongation of the lifetime of thecar battery 25; an energy saving mode is set up. In this case, appropriate increase of the frequency of the flickering of the lighting device Lessens the flickering to be negligible for the human eyes. For the brightness of the lighting device in this mode, the peak current feeding is used for the intenEB lighting (continuous lighting). - The simultaneous lighting mode in which the
LED elements 16 of the LED device are simultaneously lighted on, is suitable for a spot illumination carried out by emitting light from the convextransparent member 13. The spot lighting may be used for writing of memos, reading and searching. - When the
step 1 judges that the mode 2 (fixed contact 2) of themode switch 22 is selected, a step S7 judges which of the fixed contacts of thesubewitch 23 is selected. If the intense lighting position 1 (=fixed contact 1) is selected, a step SO sets the duty ratio to 33% to 0%. If the medium lighting position 2 (=fixed contact 2) is selected, a step S9 sets the duty ratio to 20% to 0%. If the weak lighting position 3 (=fixed contact 3) is selected, a step S10 sets the duty ratio to 10% to 0%. A step S11 sequentially lights on the LED elements of red, green and blue in this order, for example; it sets up a duty-varying lighting mode. - In the duty-varying lighting noder light colors are sequentially changed in the order of red, green and blue. Accordingly, this mode may be used for cabin illumination. When the passenger-cabin lighting device is operated in the duty-varying lighting mode, attention may be attracted to the car being on display. Further, during running of two cars in the night, if the first car operates the lighting device in this modef a driver of the second car can easily recognize the first car.
- If the step Sl judges that the mode3 (=fixed contact 3) is selected by the
subewitch 23, a step S12 judges which of the fixedcontacts 1 to 3 of thesubswitch 23 is selected. If the red lighting position 1 (=fixed contact 1) is selected, a step S13 selects thered LED element 16 of the LED device. of thegreenlightingpcsition2 (=fixedccntact 2) is selected, a step S14 selects agreen LED element 16 of the LED device. of the blue lighting position 3 (−fixed contact 3) is selected, a step S15 selects ablueLED element 16. And a step S16 lights on those LEDelements 16 continuously. - In this state, the passenger cabin of the car may be lighted up with red, green and blue colors.
- In the above-mentioned embodiments, the output signal of the LED device Is controlled in the torm of a change of the duty ratio. Alternatively, the same thing may be realized by changing the pair of
LEDS 16 to be lighted. In this case, to use the lighting device for the lighting purpose, the pair of LEDs are switched so as to inhibit the LED device located at the end of thesemitransparent member 12 from lighting. - As described above, the passenger-cabin lighting device of each embodiment comprises: a
light emitting body 10 having atransparent member 11 including a layer made of synthetic resin not containing scattering material, one of the sarfaces of the transparent member as viewed in the thickness direction serving as a light reflecting surface and the other surface being a light emitting surtaces and asemitransparent member 12 including semitransparent synthetic resin containing scattering material, the semitransparent member being bonded to the inside of thetransparent meiaber 11; a plurality ofLEDs 16 for projecting light into thetransparent member 11 and thesemitransparent member 12, theLEns 16 being provided in one of the end face of at least thelight emitting body 10; and a control circuit of anelectronic control unit 20 and the like for controlling flickering of the plurality ofLEDS 16. - Thus, the passenger-cabin lighting device enables the driver to light the passenger cabin of a car with a desired color. Further, it may be used for lighting and illuminating the passenger cabin, and for highlighting the car itself. Further, it is noted that the LED device is flickered. This feature results in less power consumption, and sophisticated and dramatic color expression, and hence increases the range of its use. Further, it is noted that light emitted from the LED device can be scattered by the diffusion layer at high efficiency without forming a reflecting surface, e.g. , a white coating, on the light introducing portion or the
transparent member 11. Additionally, the passenger-cabin lighting device provides a less costly construction when comparing with the lighting device of the type in which the inner surface of thetransparent member 11 is processed for prism. - Where the LED device capable of emitting light of two or more number of colors is used, a desired color may be produced. where the LED device is capable of emitting light of three primary colors, every color can be produced, and the passenger cabin of the car being on view may be lighted with white light.
- The control circuit of the
electronic control unit 20 for controlling the flickering of the LED device selectively pertorms a control for s pot lighting or an illumination control. Therefore, the user can selectively use either of those controls according to his desire. - The control circuit of the
electronic control unit 20 for controlling the flickering operation of the LED device varies colors one to another in a time sequential manner. This function enables the user to produce in-cabin illumination of the car being on display as desired. - The passenger-cabin lighting device of each embodiment, satisfying the requirement of securing a bonding surface between the
transparent member 11 and thesemitransparent member 12 suffices for alight emitting body 10, which has atransparent member 11 including a layer made of synthetic resin not containing scattering material, one of the surfaces of the transparent member as viewed in the thickness direction serving as a light reflecting surface and the other surface being a light emitting surface, and asemitransparent member 12 including semitransparent synthetic resin containing scattering material, the semitransparent member being bonded to the Inside of thetransparent mber 11. Therefore, thelight emitting body 10 may be shaped as desired. - The
mode switch 22 and thesubswitch 23 are used in the above-mentioned embodiirents. If required, themode switch 22 may be substituted by a sensor. In this case, the sensor may be a sensor for sensing a pitch or an intensity of sound within the cabin, an antitheft sensor, or a temperature sensor. Use of the sensor allows information gathered from the sensor to be caught outside the car. - Thea shape of the light emitting body is not limited to the shapes of the aforementioned embodiments. For example, the light emitting body may be shaped in a plate-like body or the like.
- As seen from the foregoing description, the present invention provides a passenger-cabin lighting device, comprising: a light emitting body having a transparent member including a layer made of synthetic resin not containing scattering material, one of the surfaces of the transparent member as viewed in the thickness direction serving as a light reflecting surface and the other surface being a light emitting surface, and a semitransparent member including semitransparent synthetic resin containing scattering material, the semitransparent member being bonded to the inside of the transparent member; a plurality of LEDs for projecting light into the transparent meember and the semitransparent member, the LEDs being provided in one of the end face of at least the light emitting body; and a control circuit of an electronic control unit and the like for controlling flickering of the LEDs. The passenger-cabin lighting device thus constructed accrues to the following significant advantages.
- The passenger cabin of the car may be lighted with a desired color. The lighting device may be used for lighting and illuminating the passenger cabin, and for highlighting the car itself. Further, the LED device is flickered. This feature enables less power consumption, intricate and dramatic color expression, and hence increases the range of its use. Further, it eliminates the necessity of coating the light introducing portion of the transparent member with white material or processing the same location for prism. This results in reduction of cost to manufacture.
- Thus, the passenger-cabin lighting device consumes less electric power, and is capable of producing intricate color expression. rf it is combined with various types of sensors, the range of its use is increased.
- In the passenger-cabin lighting device, the LED device emits light of at least two colors. Therefore, the lighting device has an advantage of producing color expression as desired, in addition to the advantages of the above passenger-cabin lighting device.
- In the passenger-cabin lighting device, the light emitting diodes emit light of three primary colors. Therefore, the lighting device has an advantage of producing expression of every kind of color, in addition to the advantages of the above passenger-cabin lighting device.
- In the passenger-cabin lighting device, the control circuit for controlling the flickering of the plurality of light emitting diodes selectively performs a control fQr spot lighting—or an illumination control. Therefore, the user can selectively use either of those controls according to his desire in addition to the advantages of the above paasenger-cabin lighting device.
- In the passenger-cabin lighting device, the control circuit of the electronic control unit for controlling the flickering of the light emitting diodes varies colors one to another in a time sequential manner. This function enables the user to produce in-cabin illumination of the car being on display as desired, in addition to the advantages of the above passenger-cabin lighting device.
- Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form can be d arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims (5)
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP10128657A JPH11321455A (en) | 1998-05-12 | 1998-05-12 | Interior lighting system |
US09/437,247 US6402339B1 (en) | 1998-05-12 | 1999-11-10 | Passenger-cabin lighting device |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP10128657A JPH11321455A (en) | 1998-05-12 | 1998-05-12 | Interior lighting system |
JPHEI-10-12B657 | 1998-05-12 | ||
US09/437,247 US6402339B1 (en) | 1998-05-12 | 1999-11-10 | Passenger-cabin lighting device |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US6402339B1 US6402339B1 (en) | 2002-06-11 |
US20020085377A1 true US20020085377A1 (en) | 2002-07-04 |
Family
ID=26464265
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/437,247 Expired - Fee Related US6402339B1 (en) | 1998-05-12 | 1999-11-10 | Passenger-cabin lighting device |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6402339B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH11321455A (en) |
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US20040008252A1 (en) * | 2002-07-09 | 2004-01-15 | Mitsuaki Osame | Method for deciding duty factor in driving light-emitting device and driving method using the duty factor |
ES2229853A1 (en) * | 2002-08-06 | 2005-04-16 | Manuel Vicente Fernandez Castello | Knob for transmission of gear shift in automobile, has electronic circuit lodges including reprogrammable microcontroller that controls LEDs that are made to fit in cover and tactile sensor |
WO2012162203A3 (en) * | 2011-05-23 | 2013-01-17 | General Electric Company | Configurable vehicle solid state lighting |
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Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US20040008252A1 (en) * | 2002-07-09 | 2004-01-15 | Mitsuaki Osame | Method for deciding duty factor in driving light-emitting device and driving method using the duty factor |
US9153168B2 (en) * | 2002-07-09 | 2015-10-06 | Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd. | Method for deciding duty factor in driving light-emitting device and driving method using the duty factor |
ES2229853A1 (en) * | 2002-08-06 | 2005-04-16 | Manuel Vicente Fernandez Castello | Knob for transmission of gear shift in automobile, has electronic circuit lodges including reprogrammable microcontroller that controls LEDs that are made to fit in cover and tactile sensor |
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US8564205B2 (en) | 2011-05-23 | 2013-10-22 | General Electric Company | Configurable vehicle solid state lighting |
DE102017222174A1 (en) | 2017-04-11 | 2018-10-11 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Lighting device for an interior of a motor vehicle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH11321455A (en) | 1999-11-24 |
US6402339B1 (en) | 2002-06-11 |
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