[DESCRIPTION]
[invention Title]
LIGHT EMITTING MAT FOR VEHICLES
[Technical Field]
The present invention relates to a light-emitting mat for vehicles, and more particularly to a light-emitting mat for vehicles in which a plurality of light-emitting diodes or a predetermined size of electro-luminescent sheet is installed on an edge or a bottom of a transparent decoration plate having decorative patterns on a surface thereof, so that the decorative patterns shine with a variety of colors, since light is emitted from the light-emitting diodes or the electro- luminescent sheet when electric power is applied, passing through an interior of the transparent decoration plate made of silicon or rubber and reaching the decorative patterns.
[Background Art]
Generally, a floor of a vehicle is covered with mats having a variety of shapes for a variety of purposes including soundproofing, warmth, impact-absorption, interior decoration and anti-contamination. The mat for a vehicle comprises a contact part which is an upper part of the mat and generally made of fabric, a fixing part, which is a lower part of the mat and generally made of rubber or synthetic resin, and a band
part provided along sides of the mat for binding the contact part and the fixing part together.
For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional view of the conventional mat 1 for vehicles. The mat 1 comprises a carpet part 3 in which lots of cilia are provided for the purpose of soundproofing, warmth and impact-absorption, a fixing plate 5 made of a soft flexible material, such as polyvinyl chloride
(PVC) or rubber for supporting the carpet part 3; and a band part 7 stitched along edges of the carpet part 3 and the fixing plate 5 for binding the carpet part 3 and the fixing plate 5 together. The conventional vehicle mat is generally made of synthetic resin or plastic having a dark gray or black color. That is, it is made of an opaque material having a dark and dull color. Accordingly, it has been difficult to use the mat as an interior decoration member for a vehicle.
[Disclosure]
[Technical Problem] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art and to solve these problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mat for vehicles having a decorative function, thereby capable of meeting user's desire for a variety of functions and beauty of a mat.
That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a mat for vehicles that is made of a transparent material instead of an opaque material of a dark and dull color which is general for conventional mats, which shines with a variety of colors by using a light-emitting diode or an electro-luminescent sheet and in which decorative patterns look better and brighter and also shine. Accordingly an object of the present invention is to improve decorative effectiveness of mats for vehicles.
[Technical Solution]
In order to achieve the above objects, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mat for vehicles comprising a transparent decoration plate having a predetermined size and decorative patterns on a surface thereof, a plurality of light-emitting diodes installed in a plurality of insertion grooves, respectively, provided along an edge of the transparent decoration plate, a power supply unit for supplying power to the light-emitting diodes, and a fixing means for fixing the light-emitting diodes to the edge of the transparent decoration plate as they are in the insertion grooves. Accordingly, when the light-emitting diodes are supplied with electric power, light is emitted from the light- emitting diodes, and then passes through the interior of the transparent decoration plate, thereby making the decorative
patterns of the transparent decoration plate look better and brighter and making them shine.
In this instance, the transparent decoration plate is made of a plastic material, such as polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) , polyethylene (PE) , or polystyrene paper (PSP) , polypropylene (PP) , or a soft and flexible transparent material, such as polyvinyl chloride or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. The transparent decoration plate is further made of silicon, rubber, epoxy or urethane. In order to achieve the above objects, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mat for vehicles comprising a transparent decoration plate having a predetermined size and decorative patterns on a surface thereof, a transparent light-emitting plate attached on a lower surface of the transparent decoration plate, a plurality of light-emitting diodes installed in a plurality of insertion grooves, respectively, formed along an edge of the transparent light-emitting plate, a power supply unit for supplying power to the light-emitting diodes, a fixing means for fixing the diodes to the edge of the transparent light- emitting plate, and a binder for binding the transparent decoration plate and the transparent light-emitting plate together.
The fixing means is preferably a silicon mold or a synthetic resin mold provided along the edge of the transparent
decoration plate. The binder is an adhesive provided between the transparent decoration plate and the transparent light- emitting plate or a band adhered to side surfaces of the transparent decoration plate and the transparent light-emitting plate by the adhesive.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mat for vehicles comprising a transparent decoration plate having a predetermined size and decorative patterns on a surface thereof, a support plate having a predetermined size and attached on a lower surface of the transparent decoration plate, a transparent light-emitting plate installed on a recess of a predetermined depth, formed on an upper surface of the support plate, a plurality of light- emitting diodes installed in a plurality of insertion grooves, respectively, provided on an edge of the transparent light- emitting plate, a power supply unit for supplying power to the light-emitting diodes, a fixing means for fixing the light- emitting diodes to the edge of the transparent plate as they are in the insertion grooves, and a binder for binding the transparent decoration plate and the support plate together. Accordingly, when the light-emitting diodes are supplied with electric power, light is emitted from the light- emitting diodes, and then passes through the interior of the transparent light-emitting plate and the transparent decoration plate, thereby making the decorative patterns of the
transparent plastic plate look better and brighter and making them shine.
In this instance, the support plate is made of an opaque synthetic resin, and provided with a plurality of slip- resistant protrusions on a lower surface thereof. The support plate may be provided with a reflective layer, such as aluminum, clad on the recess thereof.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mat for vehicles comprising a transparent decoration plate having a predetermined size and decorative patterns on a surface thereof, a transparent light- emitting plate attached on a lower surface of the transparent decoration plate and provided with a plurality of penetration holes, a plurality of light-emitting diodes installed in the penetration holes, respectively, in a direction perpendicular to the penetration holes, a power supply unit for supplying power to the light-emitting diodes, a base plate attached on a lower surface of the transparent light-emitting plate in which the diodes are installed, and provided with a plurality of slip-proof protrusions on a lower surface thereof, and a binder for binding the transparent decoration plate, the transparent light-emitting plate and the base plate together.
In this instance, the decorative patterns are directly inscribed on the surface of the transparent decoration plate by numerical control (NC) machining, laser processing, drilling,
or printing. Alternatively, the decorative patterns are formed by attaching a sheet having decorative patterns on the surface of the transparent decoration plate.
According to yet further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mat for vehicles comprising a transparent decoration plate having a predetermined size and decorative patterns on a surface thereof, a flexible electro¬ luminescent sheet installed on a lower surface of the transparent decoration plate for emitting light when alternative current (AC) power is supplied thereto, a support plate attached on a lower surface of the electro-luminescent sheet, and a binder for binding the transparent decoration plate, the electro-luminescent sheet and the support plate together. The light-emitting mat for vehicles further comprises a carpet part, in which lots of cilia are formed, provided on an upper surface of the transparent decoration plate for purposes of warmth and impact-absorption.
[Description of Drawings]
FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a light- emitting mat for vehicles according to a related art;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a light- emitting mat for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a light-emitting mat for vehicles according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a transparent light-emitting plate is installed on a lower surface of a transparent decoration plate;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a light-emitting mat for vehicles according to further another embodiment of the present invention, in which a support plate on which a transparent light-emitting plate is mounted is provided on a lower surface of a transparent decoration plate,-
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a light-emitting mat for vehicles according to still further another embodiment of the present invention, and particularly in which a flexible electro-luminescent sheet is installed on a lower surface of a transparent decoration plate;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating an electro¬ luminescent sheet for use in the light-emitting mat according to the embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating a light- emitting mat for vehicles according to still further embodiment of the present invention.
[Best Mode]
Hereafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 2
perspectively illustrates a light-emitting mat for vehicles according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the light-emitting mat for vehicles 10 comprises a transparent decoration plate 30 having a predetermined shape, size and decorative patterns 31 on a surface, an upper surface or a lower surface, thereof, a plurality of light-emitting diodes 41, and a power supply unit 45 for supplying electric power to the light-emitting diodes 41.
A plurality of insertion grooves 32 are formed on an edge of the transparent decoration plate 30 for receiving the diodes 41 respectively therein. A mold 50 made of silicon or synthetic resin is applied to the edge of the transparent decoration plate 30 for preventing both separation of the diodes 41 installed in the insertion grooves 32 and moisture infiltration. The mold 50 is formed using an additional mold machine.
The transparent decoration plate 30 of the light- emitting mat for vehicles 10 is made of a plastic material, such as acryl, polycarbonate (PC) , polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) , polyethylene (PE) , polystyrene paper (PSP) , or polypropylene (PP) , or a transparent soft and flexible material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) . Alternatively, the transparent decoration plate 30 can be made of a transparent material, such as silicon, epoxy, or urethane. In this instance, the transparent
decoration plate 30 is made of a transparent plastic material or PVC mixed with phosphorescent pigments. Alternatively, the transparent decoration plate 30 is made of a transparent plastic material or PVC and then coated with a phosphorescent tape. The phosphorescent pigments or the phosphorescent tape enhances light-emitting efficiency. On the upper or lower surface of the transparent decoration plate 30, the decorative patterns 30 comprised of diagrams, letters and/or symbols are inscribed. The surface of the transparent decoration plate can be processed by sanding. On the other hand, the decorative patterns 31 can be directly inscribed on the surface of the transparent decoration plate by numerical control (NC) machining, laser processing, or printing, or can be indirectly formed by attaching a sheet with patterns on the surface thereof. Alternatively, the decorative patterns can be formed while molding the transparent decoration plate using a mold having patterns corresponding to the decorative patterns. As described above, the decorative patterns can be inscribed on the surface of the transparent decoration plate in a variety of methods. slip-proof grooves 30 are formed on a portion of the upper surface or on the entire upper surface of the transparent decoration plate 30.
The light-emitting diodes 41 are installed such that light emitted therefrom can adequately light up the decorative patterns 31 by passing through interior of the transparent
decoration plate 30. For example, the light-emitting diodes 41 are installed in the insertion grooves 32 formed along the edge of the transparent decoration plate 30 or in vertical holes formed to a predetermined depth on the lower surface of the transparent decoration plate 30. Accordingly, when electric power is supplied to the light-emitting diodes 41, light emitted from the light-emitting diodes 41 goes into the interior of the transparent decoration plate 30, so that the decorative patterns 31 come to look better and brighter, and shine. In particular, at night or in the dark, the decorative patterns 31 shine with a variety of colors due to the light emitted from the light-emitting diodes 41, so that they look more beautiful.
FIG. 3 illustrates a light-emitting mat for vehicle, according to another embodiment of the present invention. The light-emitting mat according to this embodiment is similar to the mat shown in FIG. 2, but is different in that the transparent decoration plate 30 is divided into a transparent decoration plate which is an upper part, and a transparent light-emitting plate, which is a lower part. That is, the light-emitting mat 10 for vehicles comprises a transparent decoration plate 30 having predetermined size and decorative patterns 31 on a surface thereof, a transparent light-emitting plate 30 attached to a lower surface of the transparent decoration plate 30, a plurality of diodes 41 installed in a
plurality of insertion grooves 63, respectively, formed along an edge of the transparent light-emitting plate 60, a power supply unit 45 for supplying electric power to the diodes 41, a silicon mold 50 having a predetermined shape for fixing the diodes 41 to the edge of the transparent light-emitting plate 60, and a binder 70 for binding the transparent light-emitting plate 60 and the transparent decoration plate 30 together. The binder 70 is an adhesive applied between the transparent decoration plate 30 and the transparent light-emitting plate 60. The transparent light-emitting plate 60 is made of the same material as the transparent decoration plate 30 described above. The insertion grooves 63 are formed near the edge and on an upper surface of the transparent light-emitting plate 60. Since an upper portion of the insertion groove 63 is open, each of the diodes 41 can be easily installed in each of the insertion grooves 63. Further, the transparent decoration plate 30 may have insertion grooves 34 corresponding to the insertion grooves 63, respectively, on a lower surface thereof. Further, since an epoxy mold or a silicon mold is applied around the edge of the transparent decoration plate 30 and the transparent light-emitting plate 60, the light-emitting diodes installed in the insertion grooves 63 are not separated from the insertion grooves 63, and moisture infiltration is prevented. The power supply unit 45 comprises a plug 46 coupled to a cigarette-lighter-jack of a vehicle, a wire 47
connected to the diodes 41 in series or in parallel, and a controller for intercepting electric power or controlling current intensity. The binder 70 comprises a band attached to sides of the transparent decoration plate 30 and the transparent light-emitting plate 60 by an adhesive. Alternatively, the transparent decoration plate 30 and the transparent light-emitting plate 60 can be bound together using a heat-sealing machine.
Accordingly, when electric power is supplied to the light-emitting diodes 41, the light-emitting diodes 41 emit light. Since the light emitted from the light-emitting diodes 41 is dispersed to the transparent light-emitting plate 60 and the transparent decoration plate 30, the decorative patterns 32 provided on the surface of the transparent decoration plate 30 shine. At this time, if the light-emitting diodes 41 are alternately and repeatedly turned on and off via use of a controller 48, diverse visual effects can be achieved.
FIG. 4 illustrates a light-emitting mat for vehicles according to further another embodiment of the present invention. The light-emitting mat for vehicles can be used in a vehicle having a large interior area. Particularly, the light-emitting mat shown in FIG. 4 is designed to effectively use a small number of light-emitting diodes, considering a light incidence distance of the light-emitting diodes. The light-emitting mat 10 comprises a transparent decoration plate
30 having predetermined size and shape and being provided with predetermined decorative patterns on a surface thereof, a support plate 65, having a predetermined size and shape, being attached to a lower surface of the transparent decoration plate 30 and having a recess 66 of a predetermined depth on an upper surface of the support 65, in which the support plate 65 is made of an opaque material, a transparent light-emitting plate 60 having a size that can be received in the recess 66 of the support plate 65, a plurality of light-emitting diodes 41 installed in a plurality of insertion grooves 63, respectively, formed along edges of the transparent light-emitting plate 60, a power supply unit 45 for supplying electric power to the light-emitting diodes 41, and a binder 70 for binding the support plate 65 on which the transparent light-emitting plate 60 is mounted and the transparent decoration plate 30 together. In this instance, the recess 66 is formed to be disposed under the decorative patterns 31 formed in the transparent decoration plate 30. The transparent decoration plate 30 preferably has slip-proof grooves 33 on a portion other than a portion where the decorative patterns 31 are formed. Alternatively, a portion of the transparent decoration plate 30 is treated by sanding to become opaque. Accordingly, if electric power is applied to the light-emitting diodes 41, light emitted from the light-emitting diodes 41 passes through the transparent decoration plate 60, and then is shed onto the
decorative patterns 32 formed on the surface of the transparent decoration plate 30.
FIG. 5 illustrates a light-emitting mat for vehicles according to still further another embodiment of the present invention. The light-emitting mat comprises a flexible electro-luminescent sheet instead of the light-emitting diodes. The light-emitting mat according to this embodiment comprises a transparent decoration plate 30 having a predetermined size and shape, and further having decorative patterns on a surface thereof, a flexible electro-luminescent sheet 80 installed on a lower surface of the transparent decoration plate 30 for emitting light when AC power is supplied thereto, a power supply unit 85 for supplying electric power to the electro-luminescent sheet 80, a support plate 65 having a predetermined thickness and attached on a lower surface of the electro-luminescent sheet 80, and a binder 70 for binding the transparent decoration plate 30, the electro¬ luminescent sheet 80, and the support plate 65 together. In this instance, the support plate 65 may have a recess for receiving the electro-luminescent sheet 80 thereon on an upper surface thereof. The binder 70 comprises an adhesive and a band. Since the electro-luminescent sheet 80 does not generate heat, unlike a fluorescent lamp or a neon lamp, there is almost no probability of a short circuit or fire. The electro- luminescent sheet 80 is preferably formed of electro-
luminescent wire which can be easily bent and freely cut and connected.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the electro¬ luminescent sheet 80 comprises a dielectric layer, a phosphor layer and an electrode layer, and the total thickness of the electro-luminescent sheet 80 is less than 1.0mm. In more detail, the electro-luminescent sheet 80 comprises a polyester transparent film 81 which is flexible, a first electrode layer 82 formed on a rear surface of the polyester transparent film 81, in which the first electrode layer 82 has a predetermined thickness, high light-transmittance and excellent conductivity, a phosphor layer 83 formed on the electrode layer 82 having a predetermined thickness and inducing electro-luminescence, a dielectric layer 84 formed on a rear surface of the phosphor layer 82, in which the dielectric layer 84 has a predetermined thickness and is dielectric and reflective, a second electrode layer 85 formed on a rear surface of the dielectric layer 84, a protective layer 86 formed on a rear surface of the second electrode layer 85 for protecting the elements of the electro- luminescent sheet 80 from moisture and ultraviolet rays, and an electrode 87 formed at a side of the first electrode layer 82 and the second electrode layers 85. The power supply unit 90 comprises an inverter 95 for outputting AC with a predetermined frequency. The inverter 95 includes a microprocessor in which
a program for controlling power to the luminescent sheet is embedded.
FIG. 7 illustrates a light-emitting mat for vehicles according to still further another embodiment of the present invention. The light-emitting mat comprises a carpet part 3 covered with lots of cilia 4 for the purposes of soundproofing, warmth and impact-absorption and having an opening 8 at a portion thereof; a transparent decoration plate 30 having decorative patterns 31 which correspond to a shape of the opening 8 of the carpet part 3 and supporting the carpet part 3; a support plate 65 having a recess 66 with a shape which corresponds to the shapes of the opening 8 and the decorative patterns 31 for supporting the transparent decoration plate 30; a transparent light-emitting plate 60 having a size that allows it to be mounted in the recess 66 of the support plate 65; a plurality of light-emitting diodes 41 installed in a plurality of insertion grooves, respectively, formed along edges of the transparent light-emitting plate 60; a power supply unit 45 for supplying electric power to the light-emitting diodes 41; and a binder for binding the carpet part 3, the transparent decoration plate 30 and the support plate 65. Further, the support plate 65 may have a reflective layer 68 on the recess 66 thereof and a plurality of slip-proof protrusions 68 on a lower surface thereof. The transparent light-emitting plate 60 can be substituted with the electro-luminescent sheet 80.
The power supply unit for supplying electric power to the light-emitting diodes and the electro-luminescent sheet includes a microprocessor and a sensor. Accordingly, the light-emitting diodes and the electro-luminescent sheet can emit light with intensity or color that varies with intensity of sound output from an audio system installed in a vehicle, or can emit light only when a user steps thereon or sits on a seat in a vehicle by using a pressure sensor. Alternatively, the color of light from the mat can change depending on the positions of a user's feet by using an ultraviolet ray sensor. Furthermore, as another alternative, the color can change depending on whether a user steps on the break pedal or the accelerator pedal. In order to realize this function, the light-emitting mat comprises one or more sensors 100 electrically connected to the controller 48 of the power supply unit 45.
According to still further another embodiment of the present invention, the light-emitting mat can be spread on a floor of a shop or a hotel. The light-emitting mat according to this embodiment comprises a transparent plastic decoration plate 30 having a predetermined size, with decorative patterns on a surface thereof, a plurality of light-emitting diodes for emitting light, and a power supply unit 45 for supplying electric power to the light-emitting diodes. In this instance, since the light-emitting mat is used in a public place, a sign,
an advertisement or various kinds of symbols can be the decorative patterns.
[industrial Applicability] As described above, the present invention provides a new vehicle mat made of a transparent plastic material and having decorative patterns which shine with a variety of colors due to light emitted from light-emitting diodes or an electro¬ luminescent sheet, so that the new vehicle mats can replace conventional vehicle mats that present dark and dull colors. Accordingly, the prevent invention has the advantage of improving the decorative function and effect of vehicle mats, thereby meeting user's demand for beauty and a variety of functions of vehicle mats. Further, since a transparent decoration plate having the decorative patterns in the light- emitting mat can be easily replaced with a new transparent decoration plate having different decorative patterns, banality of decorative expression can be overcome, so that diverse moods can be induced by using the light-emitting mat according to the present invention. That is, in the case in which the light- emitting mat according to the present invention is used in an interior of a vehicle, a user's desire for beauty can be satisfied by simply replacing mats with different mats with different decorative patterns.