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
  • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
  • B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
  • B60Q1/28—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating front of vehicle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
  • B60R19/52—Radiator or grille guards ; Radiator grilles
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/10—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source
  • F21S43/13—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by the light source characterised by the type of light source
  • F21S43/14—Light emitting diodes [LED]
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
  • F21S43/235—Light guides
  • F21S43/236—Light guides characterised by the shape of the light guide
  • F21S43/237—Light guides characterised by the shape of the light guide rod-shaped
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
  • F21S43/235—Light guides
  • F21S43/236—Light guides characterised by the shape of the light guide
  • F21S43/239—Light guides characterised by the shape of the light guide plate-shaped
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
  • F21S43/235—Light guides
  • F21S43/242—Light guides characterised by the emission area
  • F21S43/245—Light guides characterised by the emission area emitting light from one or more of its major surfaces
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/20—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters
  • F21S43/26—Refractors, transparent cover plates, light guides or filters not provided in groups F21S43/235 - F21S43/255
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/30—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by reflectors
  • F21S43/31—Optical layout thereof
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F21—LIGHTING
  • F21S—NON-PORTABLE LIGHTING DEVICES; SYSTEMS THEREOF; VEHICLE LIGHTING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLE EXTERIORS
  • F21S43/00—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights
  • F21S43/30—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by reflectors
  • F21S43/33—Signalling devices specially adapted for vehicle exteriors, e.g. brake lamps, direction indicator lights or reversing lights characterised by reflectors characterised by their material, surface treatment or coatings
• • 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
  • G02B6/0033—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
  • G02B6/0045—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 by shaping at least a portion of the light guide
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R19/00—Wheel guards; Radiator guards, e.g. grilles; Obstruction removers; Fittings damping bouncing force in collisions
  • B60R19/52—Radiator or grille guards ; Radiator grilles
  • B60R2019/525—Radiator grilles

Definitions

• Illuminated vehicle grille assembly and vehicle incorporating such assembly
• the present invention relates to a vehicle grille with light functionality, and more particularly to a grille assembly that includes opaque ribs and lighting elements with light guides in the gaps defined by those ribs.
• the primary purpose of the vehicle radiator grille is to delimit the air passages to the engine, vehicle radiator and/or into the interior through the air conditioning system.
• this is a plastic part fixed in the mounting hole in the front of the vehicle, this plastic part having a number of openings for the passage of air.
• the grille has often been supplemented or replaced by a lighting assembly, such a luminous grille then illuminates the area in front of the vehicle and increases the visibility of the vehicle, so that it can serve as a daytime running light, for example.
• the illuminated grille is a very distinctive design element of the vehicle, as it covers a relatively large area in the vehicle's front area, which is the most visible.
• the design of the glowing radiator grille can then, for example, clearly differentiate vehicles of a certain brand from other vehicles.
• the luminous grilles can still be used for air supply, or they can completely close off the grille mounting hole and the air can then be supplied through the grille in the bumper, for example.
• An example of a luminous radiator grille is known, for example, from document CZ201800475.
• the solution described comprises a light source, a light guide, a frame and a translucent front cover, which together form a closed assembly, the specific shape of these components shaping the final appearance of the grille and the emitted light.
• this solution requires the replacement of a standard opaque grille and blocks the air intake, which may not be suitable for some vehicle types.
• Another luminous radiator grille is known from document EP3741619.
• the solution of this document comprises a radiator grille that has a series of horizontal corrugated fins formed from a light-transmitting material, a light guide and an opaque frame, where the light-transmitting material serves as a lens for the light emission from the light guide.
• the light-transmitting material serves as a lens for the light emission from the light guide.
• Known solutions of luminous grilles which include adding light sources, usually LED sources, to the original grille made of opaque material, then emit light mainly indirectly, illuminating the grille or ribs on the grille, i.e. the light source illuminates you opaque part and it reflects the light in front of the vehicle.
• these solutions have limited possibilities to modify the appearance of the luminous grille and to homogenize the emitted light.
• the disadvantages of the prior art solution are partially solved by the assembly of the luminous vehicle grille consisting of the grille frame, the grille and the lighting elements.
• the radiator grille frame is designed for attachment to the front of the vehicle, for example a plastic or metal part which, after being attached to the mounting opening, covers the entire circumference of this mounting opening.
• a grille includes a plurality of opaque ribs, the walls of which define the grille gaps, and each lighting element includes a light source and a light guide, the light guide having a light entry surface and the light source being aligned with the light entry surface.
• the surface at the outermost end of the light guide which runs approximately perpendicular to the optical axis of the light guide, is the standard light entry surface.
• Each lighting element also includes an opaque rear cover and a light-transmissive front cover, with the light source and light guide being disposed between the front cover and the rear cover.
• the light guide shall be designed to emit light from the light source at least towards the front cover and each lighting element shall be located behind some grille gap defined by the walls of at least one opaque rib.
• a grille gap may also be defined by a single wall of an opaque rib, for example where such wall is in the shape of a cylindrical surface such that the grille gap is cylindrical and passes through the respective opaque rib.
• the ribs and the radiator grille gaps are preferably aligned vertically or approximately vertically.
• This arrangement makes it possible to form relatively large grille gaps compared to the grille, for example, with a lattice of intersecting ribs, thanks to which the light elements in the gaps of the grille or behind it can be provided with various design features that improve the appearance of the grille, for example, even if not turned on, or affect the appearance of the emitted light.
• As an approximately vertical orientation for example, the direction of the ribs and/or gaps can be inclined at 0-25 degrees relative to the vertical.
• the inclination of Opaque ribs in the left half of the radiator grille can then, for example, be different than in the right half, so that their angle of inclination to one another is 0-50°.
• the front cover is made of a translucent material, i.e. any material that at least partially transmits visible light.
• a clear material such as a clear polymer such as polymethyl methacrylate.
• the light guide can also be made from the same or similar material.
• An LED light source is preferably used as the light source.
• the back cover can serve as a support for the other components of the lighting element such as light guides, light sources and front cover, as well as e.g. the ventilation elements, cables, seals, etc.
• the assembly according to the invention can fulfill the function of daytime running lights.
• the assembly of the present invention can be installed in a standard mounting hole and a conventional grille used therein.
• the grille gaps may include the first gaps and the second gaps, the first gaps being defined by and passing through one opaque rib, and the second gaps being defined by two adjacent opaque ribs.
• the lighting elements can then be arranged behind the first gaps.
• the first gaps can then glow, while the second gaps can continue to let the air through.
• the first gaps are usually smaller than the second gaps.
• the lighting elements can also be placed behind the second gaps and not behind the first gaps, or behind some of the first and some of the second gaps, or behind all gaps, and so on.
• a large number of standard grilles then have only one type of gap, for example all bounded by the adjacent ribs. In such a grille, the lighting elements can be arranged, for example, behind every second or third grille gap or behind all gaps and so on.
• the rear covers for all the lighting elements are formed from a common part, this common part comprising the openings for the air passage and being attached to the radiator grille frame and/or the radiator grille.
• This common part can be one piece or multi-piece, for example it can be a single pressing or casting for all lighting elements, or each lighting element can have its own back cover and these back covers are connected by another part that holds them together and their spacing and orientation defined.
• the installation of the assembly according to the invention in the vehicle is easier, since it is possible to connect all the lighting elements together, attach them to the grille or the grille frame and then install the assembly in the mounting hole; or the assembly without the grille frame can be secured into the grille frame already installed in the mounting hole.
• the common rear frame or the rear frame assembly can be designed in such a way that it fixes the light guides, light sources and/or front covers exactly in the target position, especially with regard to the arrangement of the radiator grille gaps, so that each light element does not have to be aligned individually with respect to the radiator grille gaps .
• connection of the front cover and the back cover for each lighting element is watertight, with the front cover and the back cover forming a watertight space.
• the watertight space preferably has a ventilation element for dissipating moisture Amounts can get into the waterproof compartment, for example, it can penetrate through the front cover.
• the front side of the back cover facing the front cover is preferably at least partially covered with a reflective material, preferably it is at least partially plated. This increases the luminance of the lighting element because the light emitted backward from the light guide or reflected light from the front panel, etc. can be reflected back to the front panel.
• the surface of the opaque ribs may have a grain to modify the incident light.
• the light illuminating and reflecting from the opaque ribs may be reflected at different angles, further increasing the homogeneity of the light, or this pattern may be clearly visible on the illuminated surface.
• the grain can be, for example, projections or depressions, cracks, etc.
• it may be the wall surface of the opaque ribs in front of the lighting elements, i.e. in particular inside the grille gaps; also the walls in the grille gaps, behind which there are no light elements, can have a pattern, for example to modify the appearance of these walls.
• the surface of the front covers has a pattern for modifying the transmitted light.
• it can be a homogenizing pattern, i.e. a series of homogenizing elements such as cracks, angled faces, protrusions and/or indentations, whether with sharp or rounded edges, with matting of the surface, etc.
• the material can also have reflective flakes or particles be added before casting/pressing the front cover etc. Any combination of such elements can also be used.
• the light source for each lighting element is higher than the top edge of the corresponding grille gap behind which the lighting element is located, with the light guide extending downward from the light source through at least half, preferably at least three quarters, the height of the respective grille gap. It is obvious that the farther this light guide runs, the better the assembly according to the invention is illuminated. Arranging the light source higher than the respective gap in the radiator grille ensures that this light source is not visible, for example from an oncoming vehicle, and cannot create a disturbing impression or impair the homogeneity of the emitted light.
• the light source can also be arranged lower than the lower edge of the respective radiator grille gap, with the light guide being able to run upwards from the light source through at least half, preferably at least three quarters, of the height of the respective radiator grille gap.
• the light source can also be placed behind a side edge, which is particularly useful when the horizontal dimension of the grille gap is greater than the vertical dimension, ie this gap is oriented horizontally. It is therefore generally advantageous if the light source is arranged in such a way that it is not visible when the assembly is viewed normally. This can be ensured, for example, by offsetting it in any direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle relative to the gap in the radiator grille or the projection of this gap in a plane that is vertical to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
• each lighting element preferably comprises a rear wall and two side walls, with the light guide running behind the rear wall of the front cover between this rear wall and the rear cover.
• the side walls are advantageously directed from the rear wall towards the corresponding radiator grille gap, with the side walls diverging in the direction away from the rear wall.
• the spacing of these sidewalls increases in the forward direction such that the outer surface of these walls (ie, the surface not facing the back cover) is visible through the grille gap.
• the front cover is made of translucent material, the light is also transmitted through the side walls and partly emitted from them, so that these side walls are also illuminated and the light emitted by the assembly gives a spatial impression, since the luminous parts of the assembly have a certain depth exhibit.
• side walls face backwards and the front cover comprises the front cover instead of the rear wall.
• the side walls need not diverge, they may be parallel or reverse to each other in the forward direction.
• the lighting elements are preferably designed to emit light signals, with the light signaling being selected from a set comprising a direction indicator, battery charge indicator and vehicle unlocking/locking indicator.
• Ordinary lighting eg daytime running lights, can also be regarded as a form of light signaling. This signaling can be a function of this vehicle and of the assembly described above itself.
• the layout of the lighting elements for outputting the light signaling can be implemented, for example, by feeding them in via a control unit. Any change in the light output (switching on or off, changing color and/or intensity, flashing, changing the flashing frequency, etc.) in some or all lighting elements, specifically in their light sources, can generally be considered light signaling here as a reaction to a specific impulse.
• the impulse can be, for example, the push button operation by the driver, as in the case of daytime running lights and direction indicators or in the case of remote unlocking of the vehicle, or a command from the control unit, for example in the case of a battery charge status display or automatic or keyless unlocking/locking of the vehicle.
• obr. 1 is a schematic representation of the front view of the passenger vehicle according to the invention, comprising the assembly of the luminous radiator grille according to the invention
• obr. 2 shows a schematic representation of a detailed view of the subassembly of the luminous radiator grille from FIG. 1
• obr. 3 is a representation of section BB of FIG. 2 taken vertically through the center of one of the opaque ribs of the grille, a grille gap formed in this opaque rib and a lighting element being fixed behind this grille gap
• obr. 4 is a schematic representation of section AA from FIG.
• FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of some embodiments of the front cover with various grainings carried out on the rear wall and optionally on the side walls
• obr. 6 is a schematic representation of the perspective view of the grille assembly of the present invention, this grille having U-shaped opaque ribs and the lighting elements comprising a U-shaped front cover inserted in each opaque rib such that the inner walls of the opaque ribs are partially covered by the front covers
• obr . 7 is a detailed view of one of the opaque ribs of the radiator grille from FIG.
• obr. 8 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the grille assembly of the present invention, in which embodiment the opaque ribs protrude from the grille and the front cover of the lighting elements overhangs the opaque ribs in a forward direction
• obr. 9 is a detailed view of one of the opaque ribs of the grille of FIG. 8 with a protruding front cover
• the obr. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the alternative embodiment light-up grille assembly with the opaque ribs clearly protruding and the front covers extending from the grille but not overhanging the opaque ribs, this cross-section being taken vertically through the center of the opaque rib.
• FIG. 1 shows a vehicle with the luminous grille assembly 1 installed in the grille mounting hole 3 in the vehicle front area between the headlamps.
• This assembly comprises a set of vertical opaque ribs 5 which define the grille gaps 6, but in alternative embodiments the opaque ribs 5 can be oriented in any way, particularly horizontally or obliquely, and also the opaque ribs 5 can cross each other to form a grille e.g. with rectangular or diamond-shaped grille gaps 6. Alternatively or additionally, the opaque ribs 5 need not be straight but may be curved into an arc or periodically bent into a wavy shape.
• the luminous Radiator grille assembly 1 a grille frame 2, a grille 3 and a number of lighting elements 4.
• the grille frame 2 and the grille 3 can be realized in the same way as the standard grille 3, in particular they can be made of black plastic and for installation in the standard mounting opening in the vehicle front area to be designed.
• the grille frame 2 is mainly used to install the grille 3 into the mounting hole, but in some designs it can also support other parts of the assembly.
• the grille 3 comprises a peripheral part which can be attached to the grille frame 2 and light blocking ribs 5 defining two types of grille gaps 6 - the first gaps formed in each light blocking rib 5 and the second gaps defined between adjacent ones opaque ribs 5 are formed.
• the first gaps have a rectangular cross-section, as viewed in front view in Figure 2, and the second gaps have a polygonal shape, resembling rectangles with truncated or rounded corners.
• the length of both the opaque ribs 5 and the grille gaps 6 can vary on the grille 3, in particular the outer opaque ribs 5 can be shorter than the middle ones. Further components of the assembly, which are described in more detail below, are then preferably adjusted in height to the respective grille gaps 6 and opaque ribs 5 .
• the grille frame 2 with the grille 3 together thus form the original part of the luminous grille assembly 1, i.e. the part which may be the same as or similar to the traditional grille 3.
• the rest of the assembly forms the lighting part of the assembly, and these two parts are preferably joined together before the whole assembly of the luminous grille 1 is installed in the vehicle.
• the lighting part of the assembly mainly comprises the lighting elements 4, the number of which corresponds to the number of opaque ribs 5 in the illustrated embodiment.
• Each lighting element 4 is located behind one of the first gaps and, in some embodiments, can even reach into the respective first gap or even protrude beyond it.
• Each lighting element 4 comprises a light source 7, preferably a printed circuit board equipped with at least one LED, a light guide 8, a Front cover H and a back cover 10.
• the front cover H and the back cover 10 are watertightly bonded together, thus delimiting the insulated space in which the light source 7 and the light guide 8 are located.
• the rear cover 11 is advantageously provided with a ventilation element for removing moisture to prevent the front cover 11 from fogging up, and a grommet for the electric cable harness with which the light source 7 is fed.
• a ventilation element can, for example, be an opening equipped with a semi-permeable membrane, which lets water vapor air out of the lighting element 4, but prevents the air from penetrating through the ventilation element into the interior.
• the venting element is, for example, a through-type sleeve made of rubber or plastic with an air filter.
• an air filter has the shape of a roll and the structure of a fine mesh for trapping dust particles.
• the back cover 10 is uniform for all lighting elements 4, ie all back covers 10 are produced, for example, from a cast or pressed part made of plastic or metal.
• Each lighting element 4 thus comprises a rear cover 10, but all of these rear covers 10 form a complete rear cover 10 in one piece, which runs through the entire radiator grille 3.
• the 10 back covers are separate, but they are joined together by another frame to hold the entire lighting portion of the assembly together.
• this rear cover 10 has air passage openings so as not to impede the air supply into the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, these gaps (not shown) are aligned with the second gaps in the grille 3 that serve to allow air to pass through the grille 3 .
• Each lighting element 4 thus forms an isolated space with a light source 7 inside, and these lighting elements 4 are connected to each other by their back covers 10 at a distance corresponding to the spacing of the first gaps.
• the complete rear cover 10 is then screwed to the radiator grille 3; alternatively, it can be glued, welded, etc. on.
• the lighting elements 4 in this embodiment are arranged behind the gaps 6 in the radiator grille, with the front covers 11_ partially engaging in the gaps 6 in the radiator grille.
• the opaque rib 5 in this Figure is not visible because the cut is made through the first gap in the opaque rib 5.
• Each opaque rib 5 runs on both sides in the forward direction from the lighting element 4.
• the forward direction here corresponds to the normal driving direction, i.e. it points in front of the vehicle, while the direction backwards from the radiator grille 3 towards, for example, the engine, the passenger compartment, behind the vehicle, etc .
• the light from the light source 7 is introduced into the light guide 8 through the light entry surface 9 at the end of the light guide 8, and from there the light is emitted forward to the front cover JM and through the front cover V ⁇ _.
• the light emitted from the front cover 1_1 then shines through the grille gaps 6 and illuminates the road in front of the vehicle and/or shines toward oncoming vehicles to increase the visibility of the vehicle.
• the light emitted from the front cover JM illuminates the surrounding walls of the opaque rib 5 so that they can be seen more clearly and the light reflected from them shines further in front of the vehicle.
• the light is emitted from basically the entire front cover V ⁇ and also from the surrounding opaque surfaces, so that depending on the length of the side walls 14 this luminous surface has a certain depth.
• the emitted light also has a three-dimensional effect, which can appear more valuable in terms of design than, for example, simply using LED light sources attached to the ribs of the radiator grille or placing the light guide itself behind the ribs.
• the front cover V ⁇ _ comprises a rear wall 13 and two side walls 14, all of which have a grain 12 on their inner surface, which faces the rear cover 10.
• the rear wall 13 is close to the light guide 8 and the light enters the front cover H through it, specifically through its rear surface.
• the side walls 14 are directed in the forward direction from the rear wall 13 towards the gap 6 in the radiator grille, in which direction they diverge, ie they become more spaced from each other.
• the rear wall 13, which is most brightly illuminated is visible through the grille gaps 6, but the side walls 14 are also visible.
• the grain 12 on these walls serves to homogenize the light passing through, for example this can ensure that the light guide 8 itself cannot be seen behind the front cover H and only the radiating front cover H and indirectly the luminous ones surrounding surfaces in the radiator grille 3 are visible.
• the grain 12 represent, for example, the projections, depressions, cracks, angled surfaces, etc.
• the individual elements forming the grain 12 can have the size of a few millimeters, but they can also be very small and densely arranged cracks or depressions that are essentially matt the surface of the front cover so that the light guide 8 arranged behind it is not directly visible.
• the front cover H is advantageously made of a clear material, for example identical to the light guide 8.
• the side walls 14 rest against the rear cover 10, so that a watertight connection of the covers is partially realized, for example by gluing the side walls 14 to the rear cover 10 can be.
• the rear cover 10 is at least partially coated with reflective material on its front side, ie the side facing the front cover H, or is made of reflective material.
• it can be made entirely of reflective material, or it can be coated with reflective material only in some places, e.g. B. plated or painted or covered with a reflective film.
• the rear cover 10 is preferably reflective at least directly behind the light guide 8 . It can also be provided with a reflective material under the side walls 14. It is advantageously plated. It is particularly advantageous for each rear cover 10, or therefore each part of the common rear cover 10, which belongs to one of the lighting elements 4, to be completely plated in the interior of the lighting element 4.
• This plating or other coating with reflective material increases the luminous efficiency of the respective lighting element 4, since the light that would otherwise be absorbed by the rear cover 10 is at least partially reflected forward and emitted via the front cover H in front of the assembly 1 of the luminous radiator grille becomes.
• the light guide 8 has deflection elements, preferably at the rear, so that the light is deflected towards the front cover H.
• the radiating elements can be, for example, the cracks, as is usual with the light guides in headlights.
• the light guide 8 can have, for example, two light entry surfaces 9, one at each of its ends and towards each of these A light source 7 is directed at each surface.
• the light source 7 is advantageously arranged to be hidden behind the edges of the gap 6 in the radiator grille. In the illustrated embodiment this is located above the gap 6 in the grille, but alternatively it may be located below or to the side of the gap 6 in the grille.
• the light guide 8 is then appropriately shaped and aligned so that the light from a light source 7 enters it and emits the light to the front cover 11_.
• the assembly of the luminous radiator grille comprises a total of eleven lighting elements 4 which are distributed in eleven opaque ribs 5 at a uniform distance from one another.
• the lighting elements 4 can all be switched on and off together, which can be useful, for example, when using the illuminated radiator grille 3 as a daytime running light, but can also be operated individually.
• the lighting elements 4 can, for example, serve as a supplement to the turn signal, so that when turning, not only the classic turn signal in the headlight but also some, for example two or three, of the lighting elements 4 closest to the headlight light up.
• the light-emitting elements can be used to display the battery charge level, which is an advantageous function in hybrid vehicles or electric vehicles, for example.
• the light source 7 also includes a colored, in particular orange-colored LED for the direction indicator or an orange-colored front cover 11 or another additional cover for some of the light sources 7 in addition to the classic white-colored LED.
• the charge status display can use several colored LEDs, e.g. B. they can light up during successive battery charging from red to orange to green, or the individual lighting elements 4 can light up gradually from one side or from the middle to the sides or from the sides to the middle.
• Another function can be, for example, that the lighting elements 4 light up or flash for a few seconds when the vehicle is unlocked or locked, or the vehicle can be equipped with blue LEDs for the blue light function, for example for police vehicles, etc.
• the assembly 1_ of the illuminated grille may require that the assembly has a control unit for controlling individual lighting elements 4 have or the lighting elements 4 should be connected to the control unit of the vehicle or its lights.
• FIG. 5 shows several alternative designs of the front cover H with graining 12 for deflection, in particular by refraction at different angles, of the light passing through the front cover JM.
• These front covers H are all approximately in the shape of the letter "U” in cross-section and have a grain 12 on the back of the rear wall 13 and some also on the inside (of the rear cover 10) on the side walls 14.
• the grain 12 is designed as evenly distributed cracks or random cracks, but other regular or irregular structures on the surface or inside the front cover 1_1 are also possible.
• reflective particles, air bubbles, etc. can be mixed in the material of the front cover H to direct the transmitted light by reflection or refraction.
• the assembly 1 of the luminous radiator grille with such front covers 11 is shown in Figs.
• the shape of the opaque ribs 5 also has a U-shaped cross section, and a first gap is formed in each opaque rib 5, and the front covers 11 are inserted into these gaps from behind so that the side walls 14 are seated on the inner surfaces of the opaque ribs 5 and partially cover them.
• the surface of the opaque ribs 5 can also have a grain which deflects the light incident on this surface 12 and reflected by this surface.
• the graining 12 can present in particular the walls of the opaque rib 5 delimiting the gap 6 in the radiator grille, even if these walls are partially or completely covered by the front cover. This offers additional design options for the radiator grille 3.
• the further features of the invention are then implemented in this embodiment, for example, as described in the illustrated embodiment or one of the alternative embodiments mentioned.
• FIG. 8 Another exemplary embodiment of the assembly according to the invention is shown in FIG. 8 and in detail of the same embodiment in FIG.
• the front covers 11 of the lighting elements 4 are also stretched in the forward direction, so that they the radiator grille 3 and the impermeable ribs 5 protrude.
• the shape of the front covers 1_1 can, for example, be such that instead of a partially hollow U-shape from FIG. Part of the side walls 14 of such a prism can rest against the back cover 10 to delimit the isolated space for the light guide 8 and related electronic components.
• a further possibility consists in using the front cover 11_ from FIG.
• the shape of the opaque ribs 5 and the front cover 11_ can be basically arbitrary, with the shape of the front cover 11 in particular having a major influence on the beam shape of the light and the overall appearance of the assembly according to the invention when it is switched on.
• the grain 12 on the front cover 11_ can alternatively or additionally be performed on the front or outer surfaces of this cover.
• FIG. 10 shows another alternative embodiment of the invention.
• This figure shows the cross-sectional view, similar to Fig. 3.
• the opaque ribs 5 are pulled out significantly in front of the grille 3, and the front cover 11 is also pulled out in front of the grille 3, but less than the opaque ribs 5.
• Fig. 10 only half of the opaque rib 5 is visible, since the cross-section is taken through the center of this rib.
• This opaque rib 5 is part of the radiator grille 3, preferably for example from the same pressed or cast part.
• the front cover 11_ is formed from a solid block of material with the cross section passing through its center, although for clarity the front cover H is shown without hatching.
• the radiator grille 3 can comprise horizontally aligned opaque ribs 5, for example.
• the light guides 8 are also preferably aligned horizontally, for example they can extend over the entire width of the radiator grille 3; each light guide 8 is then advantageously equipped with light sources 7 at both ends.
• the light guides 8 and/or opaque ribs 5 may, for example, branch or have an angled or curved shape, etc.
• the radiator grille 3 comprises the radiator grille gaps 6 only between opaque ribs 5.
• the lighting elements 4 can then be arranged behind every second radiator grille gap 6, for example. These can also be behind each grille gap 6 so that the passage of air through the grille 3 can be prevented, or the lighting elements 4 can be of such a size that they do not completely fill the grille gaps 6 so that the air around them can pass through the grille 3 can flow. In other embodiments, on the grille 3 having the first and second gaps, such as the grille 3 of FIG through the first and second gaps.
• the rear frames 10 of the individual lighting elements 4 are not connected to each other in any way, so that each of them is mounted on the radiator grille 3 separately.
• the shape of the front cover H can be such that it sits exactly on the grille 3, for example on the walls of the opaque ribs 5, and the front covers H can also be attached to the grille 3, e.g. glued or from behind in the grille gaps 6 used with a bias.
• the front covers 1_1 cannot touch the radiator grille 3 at all or only in a few places, etc., so that the air can also flow through those radiator grille gaps 6 behind which there is a lighting element 4 .
• the position of the lighting elements 4 relative to the respective gaps 6 in the radiator grille is particularly important, not the possible contact or connection between the radiator grille 3 and the lighting elements 4.
• the front cover V ⁇ _ is in this illustrated embodiment. designed so that they match the front part of their rear wall 13 exactly fits into the radiator grille gap 6.
• the illustrated lighting element 4 could be bolted or otherwise attached to the grille 3 or grille frame 2 with a gap between the front cover H and the grille 3 .
• a lighting element 4 may be placed behind multiple grille gaps 6 such that it illuminates multiple gaps and multiple opaque fins 5 .
• This can be advantageous in particular in the case of radiator grilles 3 which have a larger number of smaller radiator grille gaps 6, for example if the radiator grille 3 is formed by a grid on part of its surface.
• the number of opaque ribs 5 and the number of lighting elements 4 can vary in different designs, essentially as desired.
• An embodiment is also possible in which several lighting elements 4 are arranged behind a gap 6 in the radiator grille, e.g.
• a gap 6 in the radiator grille e.g.
• one lighting element 4 can run from above approximately to the center of the respective radiator grille gap 6 and the other from below approximately to the center of this radiator grille gap 6 .
• This can extend the modifiability of the appearance of the grille, e.g. there can be a gap between such two lighting elements 4 in a grille gap 6, and such gaps on the entire grille 3 then produce a dark line that extends through the center of the grille 3.
• a similar effect, which is mitigated by the homogenization of the front cover 11, can be achieved by using a plurality of light guides 8 in each lighting element 4.
• An assembly 1 of the luminous radiator grille can have several different lighting elements 4 or differently arranged lighting elements 4 .
• lighting elements 4 on a radiator grille 3 can have differently shaped front covers H or different grains 12, or the lighting elements 4 can be arranged, for example, alternately from above in the respective radiator grille gap 6 and from below in the adjacent radiator grille gap 6.
• the entire Lighting element 4 are located behind the radiator grille gap 6, so that no part of the lighting element 4, in particular the front cover H engages in the radiator grille 6.
• the subject of the invention is also a passenger car comprising the assembly 1 of the luminous radiator grille described above in one of the embodiments described or in another alternative embodiment.
• the assembly according to the invention is attached to the vehicle by its radiator grille frame 2, to which radiator grille 3 and possibly other parts of the assembly are then attached.
• the grille frame 2 may be integrally formed with the grille 3, in some implementations the transition between the grille frame 2 and the grille 3 may not even be visible.

Landscapes

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

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=81327359

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (3)

Citations (10)

• 2021
  • 2021-03-26 CZ CZ2021-152A patent/CZ2021152A3/cs unknown
• 2022
  • 2022-03-23 WO PCT/CZ2022/000016 patent/WO2022199727A1/de not_active Ceased
  • 2022-03-23 EP EP22717350.7A patent/EP4313694A1/de active Pending

Patent Citations (10)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events