WO2014186589A1

WO2014186589A1 - Vehicle interior component having an illuminated pinstripe

Info

Publication number: WO2014186589A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/038222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald A. Bozio; Scott Allen Hansen; Jonathan M. FRENS; Ingo Elmar ZIPPEL
Original assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
Priority date: 2013-05-15
Filing date: 2014-05-15
Publication date: 2014-11-20

Abstract

A vehicle interior component (16) having an illuminated pinstripe (18). The illuminated vehicle interior component (16) includes an elongated light guide (28) configured to receive light axially from one or more light sources (34). The elongated light guide (28) is also configured to direct the light radially out of the elongated light guide (28) along a length of the elongated light guide (28). The illuminated vehicle interior component (16) also includes a diffuser (35) disposed directly over the elongated light guide (28) along the length of the elongated light guide (28). The diffuser (35) is configured to direct the light from the elongated light guide (28) to illuminate the illuminated vehicle interior component (16).

Description

VEHICLE INTERIOR COMPONENT HAVING AN

ILLUMINATED PINSTRIPE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/823,614, entitled "VEHICLE INTERIOR COMPONENT HAVING AN ILLUMINATED PINSTRIPE", filed May 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] The invention relates generally to motor vehicles, and more particularly, to a vehicle interior component having an illuminated pinstripe.

[0003] Vehicles typically include a variety of lighting systems to illuminate various regions of a vehicle interior. For example, certain vehicles include one or more lights configured to illuminate devices in an instrument panel of the vehicle. Furthermore, certain vehicles include one or more lights configured to illuminate devices at other locations throughout the vehicle interior. Such lights may illuminate pinstripes, panels, trays, cup holders, handles, switches, indicators, controls, and so forth. As may be appreciated, lighting systems may provide illumination for enabling a driver to operate the vehicle in low-light conditions. Moreover, lighting systems may provide decorative illumination, which is visible during daytime and/or nighttime operation. These lighting systems may use a light-emitting device positioned to illuminate a component, such as by positioning the light-emitting device behind the component (e.g., for backlighting the component) and/or adjacent to the component. Accordingly, the light-emitting device may emit light through layers of the component to illuminate the component. Unfortunately, such illuminated vehicle interior components may unevenly distribute light. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to an illuminated vehicle interior component including an elongated light guide configured to receive light axially from one or more light sources. The elongated light guide is also configured to direct the light radially out of the elongated light guide along a length of the elongated light guide. The illuminated vehicle interior component also includes a diffuser disposed directly over the elongated light guide along the length of the elongated light guide. The diffuser is configured to direct the light from the elongated light guide to illuminate the illuminated vehicle interior component.

[0005] The present invention also relates to an illuminated vehicle interior component including a light source and an elongated light guide configured to receive light axially from the light source. The elongated light guide is also configured to direct the light radially out of the elongated light guide along a length of the elongated light guide. The illuminated vehicle interior component also includes a lens having a show surface. The lens is disposed directly over the elongated light guide along the length of the elongated light guide. The lens is configured to diffuse the light from the elongated light guide to illuminate the show surface.

[0006] The present invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an illuminated vehicle interior component. The method includes disposing an elongated light guide on a substrate. The elongated light guide is configured to receive light axially from a light source, and to direct light radially out of the elongated light guide along a length of the elongated light guide. The method also includes disposing a diffuser directly over the elongated light guide along the length of the elongated light guide. The diffuser is configured to direct the light from the elongated light guide to illuminate the illuminated vehicle interior component. DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle that may include an illuminated vehicle interior component.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an illuminated vehicle interior component.

[0009] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the illuminated vehicle interior component of FIG. 2.

[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rear side of the illuminated vehicle interior component of FIG. 2.

[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the illuminated vehicle interior component of FIG. 2.

[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment of an illuminated vehicle interior component.

[0013] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an illuminated vehicle interior component having a non-directional light guide.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an illuminated vehicle interior component having a directional light guide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle 10 that may include an illuminated vehicle interior component, such as an illuminated pinstripe, panel, tray, cup holder, handle, switch, indicator, control, and so forth. The vehicle 10, in this case a car, includes an interior 12 and an exterior 14. The illuminated vehicle interior component may be located in the interior 12 or on the exterior 14 of the vehicle 10. Furthermore, the illuminated vehicle interior component may be manufactured to provide decorative illumination with substantially even light distribution.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an illuminated vehicle interior component 16. The illuminated vehicle interior component 16 may be any suitable vehicle component, such as the illustrated door panel. Moreover, the illuminated vehicle interior component 16 includes a pinstripe assembly 18 that extends along a length 19 of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16. The pinstripe assembly 18 may include a light guide that directs light from a light source toward a show surface of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16. Furthermore, the pinstripe assembly 18 may include a diffuser (e.g., lens) to diffuse the light emitted from the light guide. Accordingly, the pinstripe assembly 18 may provide substantial even illumination of the pinstripe assembly 18 along the length 19 of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16.

[0017] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16 of FIG. 2. As illustrated, the pinstripe assembly 18 has a height 20. In certain embodiments, the height 20 may be within a range of approximately 1 to 4 mm. For example, the height 20 may be approximately 1, 2, 3, or 4 mm. In other embodiments, the height 20 may be less than approximately 1 mm, or greater than approximately 4 mm. The illuminated vehicle interior component 16 includes a substrate 21 configured to provide support to various components. The substrate 21 may be formed from any suitable material, such as a polymeric material, a foam material, and so forth. Furthermore, the illuminated vehicle interior component 16 includes a decorative material 22 disposed adjacent to the pinstripe assembly 18 and configured to provide support to the pinstripe assembly 18. The decorative material 22 may be any suitable material, such as a polymeric material, a metallic material, a wood material, and so forth. For example, in certain embodiments, the decorative material 22 may be chrome.

[0018] Moreover, an applique 24 is disposed adjacent to the pinstripe assembly 18 on the opposite side of the pinstripe assembly 18 from the decorative material 22. As may be appreciated, the applique 24 may be formed from any suitable material, such as a polymeric material, a foam material, a metallic material, a wood material, and so forth. As illustrated, the pinstripe assembly 18 includes a bent portion 26, in which the pinstripe assembly 18 is bent at a suitable angle, such as up to approximately 90 degrees. Moreover, the pinstripe assembly 18 may provide illumination through the bent portion 26. Furthermore, light emitted by the pinstripe assembly 18 may be evenly distributed along the length 19 of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16, including the bent portion 26.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a rear side of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16 of FIG. 2. The pinstripe assembly 18 includes an elongated light guide 28 (e.g., light pipe) having a bend 30 within the bent portion 26 of the pinstripe assembly 18. The elongated light guide 28 is configured to axially receive light at an end 32 from a light source 34, such as from a light-emitting diode (LED) or another suitable light emitting device, as illustrated by arrow 29. In the illustrated embodiment, the light source 34 is adjacent to the bend 30 of the elongated light guide 28. In certain embodiments, the elongated light guide 28 may be configured to receive light from more than one light source 34, such as by receiving light from the end 32 of the elongated light guide 28 and from an opposite end of the elongated light guide 28. The elongated light guide 28 may extend along the entire length 19 of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16. Moreover, the elongated light guide 28 is configured to direct light radially out of the elongated light guide 28 along the length 19 of the elongated light guide 28, as illustrated by arrows 33. As illustrated, the elongated light guide 28 may be a substantially cylindrical light guide, or the elongated light guide 28 may be any other suitable shape.

[0020] The pinstripe assembly 18 includes a diffuser 35 (e.g., lens) disposed directly over the elongated light guide 28 along the length of the elongated light guide 28. The diffuser 35 is configured to direct the light from the elongated light guide 28 to illuminate the pinstripe assembly 18 and, thereby, illuminate the illuminated vehicle interior component 16. The diffuser 35 may be manufactured from any suitable material that is at least partly light transmissive. For example, the diffuser 35 maybe manufactured from a polymeric material, a light transmissive thermoplastic, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), and so forth. Accordingly, light emitted by the light source 34 may illuminate the pinstripe assembly 18.

[0021] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16 of FIG. 2. As may be appreciated, an intensity of light directed out of the elongated light guide 28 may be greater at portions of the elongated light guide 28 proximate to the light source 34. Accordingly, the diffuser 35 has a thickness 36 (e.g., from the elongated light guide 28 to a show surface 37) in the bent portion 26 that is greater than a thickness 38 in a straight portion 39. The thickness is particularly selected based on a proximity to the light source 34. Thus, a varying thickness 38 of the diffuser 35 may facilitate a more even lighting of the pinstripe assembly 18.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16. As illustrated, light is directed from the elongated light guide 28 through the diffuser 35 to the show surface 37 of the pinstripe assembly 18. Furthermore, as illustrated, an attachment assembly 42 couples the applique 24, the diffuser 35, the decorative material 22, and the substrate 21 together. As may be appreciated, in other embodiments, the attachment assembly 42 may couple fewer or more parts together. The attachment assembly 42 does not block light from being directed out of the pinstripe assembly 18 (e.g., does not extend between the elongated light guide 28 and the show surface 37), thereby facilitating an even illumination of the show surface 37.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16 having a non-directional light guide. Accordingly, the elongated light guide 28 is configured to direct light received axially from the light source in any radial direction, as illustrated by the arrows 33. Moreover, the light is directed toward the diffuser 35 to illuminate the pinstripe assembly 18. As illustrated, the diffuser 35 includes the show surface 37 and rear surfaces 46. In certain embodiments, the rear surfaces 46 may be polished surfaces, while the show surface 37 may be frosted (e.g., the rear surfaces 46 may be more light transmissive than the show surface 37). As may be appreciated, a frosted show surface 37 may facilitate diffusion of light, thereby facilitating a more even distribution of light. [0024] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16 having a directional light guide. Accordingly, the elongated light guide 28 includes a directional feature 48 to facilitate directing light radially (as illustrated by arrows 33) out of a side 50 of the elongated light guide 28, thereby increasing the intensity of light emitted by the pinstripe assembly 18. Using the techniques described herein, the illuminated vehicle interior component 16 may be manufactured with an illuminated pinstripe assembly 18. Furthermore, the pinstripe assembly 18 may be configured to have a substantially even distribution of light along the length 19 of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16. As such, the aesthetic appeal of the illuminated vehicle interior component 16 may be enhanced.

[0025] While only certain features and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur to those skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re- sequenced according to alternative embodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in an effort to provide a concise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not have been described (i.e., those unrelated to the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the invention, or those unrelated to enabling the claimed invention). It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation specific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undue experimentation.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An illuminated vehicle interior component comprising:

an elongated light guide configured to receive light axially from one or more light sources, and to direct the light radially out of the elongated light guide along a length of the elongated light guide; and

a diffuser disposed directly over the elongated light guide along the length of the elongated light guide, wherein the diffuser is configured to direct the light from the elongated light guide to illuminate the illuminated vehicle interior component.

2. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 1, wherein the elongated light guide comprises a circular cross-section.

3. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 1, wherein the elongated light guide comprises a directional light guide.

4. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 1, wherein the elongated light guide comprises a bent portion.

5. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 1, wherein the one or more light sources comprise a plurality of light sources.

6. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 1, comprising a pinstripe assembly having the elongated light guide and the diffuser.

7. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 1, wherein the diffuser comprises a show surface and a rear surface.

8. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 7, wherein the rear surface is more light transmissive than the show surface.

9. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic.

10. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 9, wherein the thermoplastic is at least partly light transmissive.

11. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is formed from a material comprising polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

12. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is formed from a material comprising polycarbonate (PC).

13. An illuminated vehicle interior component comprising:

a light source;

an elongated light guide configured to receive light axially from the light source, and to direct the light radially out of the elongated light guide along a length of the elongated light guide; and

a lens having a show surface, wherein the lens is disposed directly over the elongated light guide along the length of the elongated light guide, and the lens is configured to diffuse the light from the elongated light guide to illuminate the show surface.

14. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 13, wherein the elongated light guide comprises a bent portion adjacent to the light source.

15. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 14, wherein a thickness of the lens from the elongated light guide to the show surface of the lens is greater along the bent portion than along a portion of the elongated light guide remote from the bent portion to facilitate a more even illumination of the show surface.

16. The illuminated vehicle interior component of claim 13, comprising an attachment feature configured to couple the lens to a substrate, wherein the attachment feature does not extend between the elongated light guide and the show surface of the lens.

17. A method for manufacturing an illuminated vehicle interior component, comprising:

disposing an elongated light guide on a substrate, wherein the elongated light guide is configured to receive light axially from a light source, and to direct light radially out of the elongated light guide along a length of the elongated light guide; and

disposing a diffuser directly over the elongated light guide along the length of the elongated light guide, wherein the diffuser is configured to direct the light from the elongated light guide to illuminate the illuminated vehicle interior component.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising attaching the diffuser to the substrate without blocking the light being received by the diffuser from the elongated light guide.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the elongated light guide and the diffuser are part of a pinstripe assembly.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the diffuser is formed from a material comprising a thermoplastic.