WO2020086675A1 - Dispositif éclairé utile dans un habitacle de véhicule - Google Patents

Dispositif éclairé utile dans un habitacle de véhicule Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020086675A1
WO2020086675A1 PCT/US2019/057593 US2019057593W WO2020086675A1 WO 2020086675 A1 WO2020086675 A1 WO 2020086675A1 US 2019057593 W US2019057593 W US 2019057593W WO 2020086675 A1 WO2020086675 A1 WO 2020086675A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
inner surfaces
lighted
exterior surface
light
lighted device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2019/057593
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Philip B. CARROLL
Patricia A. Jones
Original Assignee
Sigma International
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sigma International filed Critical Sigma International
Publication of WO2020086675A1 publication Critical patent/WO2020086675A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N3/00—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for
    • B60N3/10—Arrangements or adaptations of other passenger fittings, not otherwise provided for of receptacles for food or beverages, e.g. refrigerated
    • 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
    • B60Q3/20—Arrangement of lighting devices for vehicle interiors; Lighting devices specially adapted for vehicle interiors for lighting specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments; mounted on specific fittings of passenger or driving compartments
    • B60Q3/225—Small compartments, e.g. glove compartments
    • B60Q3/229—Cup holders
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0013—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide
    • G02B6/0015—Means for improving the coupling-in of light from the light source into the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
    • G02B6/0016—Grooves, prisms, gratings, scattering particles or rough surfaces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/0035—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
    • G02B6/0036—2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0081—Mechanical or electrical aspects of the light guide and light source in the lighting device peculiar to the adaptation to planar light guides, e.g. concerning packaging
    • G02B6/0095—Light guides as housings, housing portions, shelves, doors, tiles, windows, or the like

Definitions

  • While such devices are capable of providing lighting within a vehicle interior there is a desire for better aesthetics and a customizable appearance.
  • An illustrative example embodiment of a lighted device includes a light source and a body made of a resilient material. At least a portion of the body is situated near the light source such that light from the light source travels within the resilient material.
  • First inner surfaces of the body cause total internal reflection of the light within the resilient material.
  • Second inner surfaces of the body cause reflection of the light in a direction that the light reflecting from the second inner surfaces emanates from the body in a selected direction.
  • the second inner surfaces are arranged in a pattern that establishes a lighted pattern visible from outside the body.
  • the body has at least one exterior surface through which the light reflecting from the second inner surfaces emanates from the body and is visible and the at least one exterior surface has a single surface texture over an entirety of the at least one exterior surface.
  • the surface texture is smooth and uninterrupted.
  • the body has at least one exterior surface through which the light reflecting from the second inner surfaces emanates from the body and is visible, a back side of the at least one exterior surface faces into the body and defines at least one of the first inner surfaces, the body has a second exterior surface facing opposite the at least one exterior surface, a back side of the second exterior surface faces into the body toward the at least one exterior surface, and the second inner surfaces are defined on the back side of the second exterior surface.
  • At least one of the first inner surfaces is defined on the back side of the second exterior surface.
  • the lighted pattern includes a first portion having a first brightness and a second portion having a second, different brightness.
  • the first brightness is established by some of the second inner surfaces situated at a first angle relative to the first inner surfaces and the second brightness is established by others of second inner surfaces situated at a second, different angle relative to the first inner surfaces.
  • the first brightness is established by a first number of the second inner surfaces and the second brightness is established by a second number of the second inner surfaces.
  • An example embodiment having one or more features of the lighted device of any of the previous includes a reflecting prism within the portion of the body.
  • An angle of an exterior of the reflecting prism is situated relative to the body to direct the light within the body along a trajectory to cause the total internal reflection off the first inner surfaces.
  • the reflecting prism comprises a cone formed of the resilient material and the cone is situated inside the body.
  • the resilient material comprises an optical grade liquid silicone.
  • the body has a cup shape.
  • the selected direction is toward an interior of the cup shape.
  • An illustrative example vehicle interior component includes the lighted device of any of the previous paragraphs.
  • a cup holder In an example embodiment having one or more features of the vehicle interior component of the previous paragraph comprises a cup holder.
  • Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates a vehicle interior component including a lighted device designed according to an embodiment of this invention.
  • Figure 2 is an exploded view of a portion of the embodiment of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 schematically illustrates selected features of an example embodiment of a lighted device.
  • Figure 4 is an expanded view of the portion in the circle 4 shown in Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 schematically illustrates an example configuration of inner surfaces on an example lighted device.
  • Figure 6 schematically illustrates another example configuration of inner surfaces on another example lighted device.
  • Embodiments of this invention provide lighted features, which may be incorporated into a vehicle interior for example, in a manner that is superior to prior devices
  • Figure 1 illustrates a lighted device 20 designed according to an embodiment of this invention.
  • the device is configured to be incorporated into a vehicle interior component 22.
  • the illustrated example component 22 is a cup holder.
  • Other embodiments comprise other vehicle components such as center console pads or platforms.
  • Figure 1 shows two example cup holders including illuminated designs 23 on the inside of the cup holder.
  • One feature of embodiments of this invention is that the design of the lighting can be customized to achieve a variety of effects or appearances. For example, a vehicle manufacturer’s logo may be illuminated inside a cup holder.
  • the lighted device 20 comprises a body 24 made of a resilient material through which light propagates.
  • the resilient material is an optical grade liquid silicone that is molded or otherwise shaped into a desired form.
  • the body 24 has a cup shape. In other devices, the body 24 will have other shapes, such as a flat or curved pad or mat.
  • the body 24 includes a portion 26, such as the bottom of the cup shape, that is situated adjacent a light source 28.
  • the light source 28 comprises at least one LED.
  • the light source 28 is conveniently situated in the bottom of a recess 30 of a console (not illustrated) that includes the cup holder 22.
  • the body 24 fits within the same recess 30 so that the bottom of the body 24 rests above or on top of the light source 28.
  • the light source 28 is situated in a disk 32 set within the recess 30 that establishes a bottom interior or support surface for an item, such as a cup containing liquid, placed in the body 24.
  • the disk 32 is configured to allow light from the light source 28 to enter the body 24 in a controlled manner and blocks light from the light source 28 from being visible through the bottom of the body 24.
  • the bottom 26 of the body 24 includes a light reflecting prism 34 formed inside the body.
  • the prism 34 is a cone. Light from the light source 28 reflects off the prism 34 and travels through the body 24.
  • the body 24 includes first inner surfaces 38 that are aligned with the exterior surface of the prism 34 so that light reflecting off the prism 34 reflects off the first inner surfaces 38 resulting in total internal reflection of the light within the body 24 as a schematically shown by the arrows 40 in Figure 3.
  • first inner surfaces 38 that are aligned with the exterior surface of the prism 34 so that light reflecting off the prism 34 reflects off the first inner surfaces 38 resulting in total internal reflection of the light within the body 24 as a schematically shown by the arrows 40 in Figure 3.
  • the cup shape of the illustrated embodiment has an inward facing exterior surface 42 and an outward facing exterior surface 44.
  • the portions of the exterior surfaces 42, 44 of the body 24 that have one of the first inner surfaces 38 on the back side facing into the body 24 do not appear illuminated even when the light source 28 is turned on.
  • the body 24 also includes second inner surfaces 48 that are configured differently than the first inner surfaces 38.
  • the second inner surfaces 48 interrupt the total internal reflection of the light within the body 24 and cause some of that light to emanate from the body 24.
  • the second inner surfaces 48 are arranged in a pattern configured to establish a desired design or pattern of the light emanating from the body 24 resulting in the appearance of the designs 23.
  • the second inner surfaces 48 have a texture or feature that causes a different direction of light reflection compared to the first inner surfaces 38.
  • the second inner surfaces 48 include surface angles that direct light reflecting off the second inner surfaces 48 toward an interior of the cup shape of the body 24 as schematically shown by the arrow 50 so that the designs 23 appear illuminated on the inside of the illustrated example cup holder.
  • the backside of the exterior surface 42 defines first surfaces 38 facing into the body 24.
  • the backside of the exterior surface 44 defines some of the first inner surfaces 38 and the second inner surfaces 48.
  • the illustrated arrangement of the inner surfaces 38, 48 establishes the lighted designs 23 on the inside of the cup-shaped body 24.
  • the location and arrangement of the inner surfaces 38. 48 may be varied to achieve the desired location and appearance of the lighted designs.
  • the second inner surfaces 48 are established during a molding process of making the body 24.
  • the portion of the mold that establishes the exterior surface 44 includes features to establish the second inner surfaces 48 so they face inward into the body 24.
  • Other embodiments include a machining or etching process to form the second inner surfaces within the body 24.
  • Figure 5 schematically shows an arrangement of an example embodiment in which the appearance of the lighted design varies. For example, a portion of the lighted design appears brighter than another portion.
  • the different brightness of the respective portions in this example is achieved by different numbers of second inner surfaces 48 for a given dimensional unit, such as length or area, of the body 24.
  • the different concentration or number of second inner surfaces yields a different amount of light reflection at the corresponding location so that the brightness of the light appearing at selected portions of the lighted design varies.
  • Figure 6 shows another arrangement of second inner surfaces 48 to vary a characteristic, such as brightness, of the illuminated design.
  • some of the second inner surfaces 48 A are situated at a different angle relative to the first inner surfaces 38 compared to the angle at which other second inner surfaces 48B are situated.
  • the different angles in this example result in different reflective quality of the light appearing through the nearby exterior surface 42.
  • second inner surfaces 48 may be selected to achieve a desired lighting effect.
  • Some embodiments include combinations of features such as differing numbers of second inner surfaces 48 per dimensional unit and different angles.
  • the surface through which light emanates need not have any particular texture or contour to achieve the desired light pattern.
  • the second inner surface 48 inside the body 24 is responsible for the direction and appearance of the lighted portions of the device 20. This allows the inward-facing exterior surface 42 of a cup holder to have a consistent and uninterrupted texture, which may be entirely smooth for example. Utilizing the second inner surfaces 48 and total internal reflection from the first inner surfaces 38 provides advantages in making it easier to keep the cup holder clean and to avoid debris or contaminants from diminishing the lighted appearance of the cup holder over time compared to relying on etching or surface variations on the exterior surface 42 to achieve some sort of lighted effect. Some embodiments include a surface texture on the exterior surface through which the lighted design appears that is configured to enhance the visibility of the lighted pattern.
  • the body 24 is separate from the light source 28 and washable. No openings or surface irregularities are required on the exterior surfaces 42, 44 of the body 24, which makes it more convenient to clean the body 24 and maintain it over time. There is no requirement for a light-blocking coating or masking on the body 24, which avoids having such a layer wear or get scratched, which could result in changing the lighted appearance over time.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Arrangements Of Lighting Devices For Vehicle Interiors, Mounting And Supporting Thereof, Circuits Therefore (AREA)

Abstract

Un exemple de mode de réalisation illustratif de l'invention concerne un dispositif éclairé comprenant une source de lumière et un corps constitué d'un matériau élastique. Au moins une portion du corps est située à proximité de la source de lumière de sorte que la lumière provenant de la source de lumière se déplace à l'intérieur du matériau élastique. Des premières surfaces internes du corps provoquent une réflexion interne totale de la lumière à l'intérieur du matériau élastique. Des deuxièmes surfaces internes du corps provoquent une réflexion de la lumière dans une direction telle que la lumière réfléchie depuis les deuxièmes surfaces internes émane du corps dans une direction sélectionnée. Les deuxièmes surfaces internes sont disposées selon un motif qui établit un motif éclairé visible depuis l'extérieur du corps.
PCT/US2019/057593 2018-10-23 2019-10-23 Dispositif éclairé utile dans un habitacle de véhicule WO2020086675A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201862749164P 2018-10-23 2018-10-23
US62/749,164 2018-10-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020086675A1 true WO2020086675A1 (fr) 2020-04-30

Family

ID=70332249

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2019/057593 WO2020086675A1 (fr) 2018-10-23 2019-10-23 Dispositif éclairé utile dans un habitacle de véhicule

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2020086675A1 (fr)

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020028042A1 (en) * 1996-01-19 2002-03-07 Zarian James R. Side lighting optical conduit
US20020102058A1 (en) * 1997-12-09 2002-08-01 Federal Mogul-World Wide, Inc. Illuminated interior article system utilizing a Y-branch waveguide
US20070025678A1 (en) * 2003-04-07 2007-02-01 Nobuo Kushibiki Curable organopolysiloxane resin composition for optical transmission components, optical transmission components, and fabrication process thereof
US20090284179A1 (en) * 2008-05-13 2009-11-19 Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc. Apparatuses for Providing Power for Illumination of a Display Object
US20110116286A1 (en) * 2008-07-18 2011-05-19 3M Innovative Properties Company Lighting device comprising a light guide and a support
US20130135892A1 (en) * 2011-11-28 2013-05-30 Research In Motion Limited Light guide apparatus
US20140191529A1 (en) * 2013-01-10 2014-07-10 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Storage structure for vehicle
US20170357040A1 (en) * 2014-11-12 2017-12-14 3M Innovative Properties Company Illumination system including lightguide

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20020028042A1 (en) * 1996-01-19 2002-03-07 Zarian James R. Side lighting optical conduit
US20020102058A1 (en) * 1997-12-09 2002-08-01 Federal Mogul-World Wide, Inc. Illuminated interior article system utilizing a Y-branch waveguide
US20070025678A1 (en) * 2003-04-07 2007-02-01 Nobuo Kushibiki Curable organopolysiloxane resin composition for optical transmission components, optical transmission components, and fabrication process thereof
US20090284179A1 (en) * 2008-05-13 2009-11-19 Nthdegree Technologies Worldwide Inc. Apparatuses for Providing Power for Illumination of a Display Object
US20110116286A1 (en) * 2008-07-18 2011-05-19 3M Innovative Properties Company Lighting device comprising a light guide and a support
US20130135892A1 (en) * 2011-11-28 2013-05-30 Research In Motion Limited Light guide apparatus
US20140191529A1 (en) * 2013-01-10 2014-07-10 Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha Storage structure for vehicle
US20170357040A1 (en) * 2014-11-12 2017-12-14 3M Innovative Properties Company Illumination system including lightguide

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