DE102010032190A1 - Lamp unit for motor car, has coating provided in perforation type with number of openings, where openings are not identifiable from typical observation distance in switched off state of controllable and switchable light sources - Google Patents

Abstract

The lamp unit has a radiographic body (3) e.g. lens and light conductor, arranged in an irradiation region whose surface is provided with a decorative coating (4) on a side of a light aperture. The coating is provided in a perforation type with a number of openings (5), where light emerging from the radiographic body is passed through the openings. The openings are not identifiable from typical observation distance in a switched off state of controllable and switchable light sources (1, 2) e.g. LEDs.

Description

The present invention relates to a lamp unit for a motor vehicle, in particular a lamp unit integrated in the outer surface, such as, for example, a tail light, an apron lighting or a signal light unit for an exterior mirror.

The officially published document DE 10 2004 018 695 A1 shows a vehicle outside mirror with an integrated signal light unit, namely a Wiederholinkleuchte. In this context, the desire for a uniform and uninterrupted vehicle outer surface is pointed out. As a solution for the optical integration of the repeating flashing light is proposed to coat the exterior mirror housing and the recessed in a cutout lens the repeater flashlight with a uniform semi-transparent coating and in particular a paint. As a result, the surface of the outer mirror housing appears continuously when the repeating flashlight emits no light.

However, any type of semi-transparent coating inherently suffers from a significant loss of radiant power. This requires the installation of significantly more powerful light sources required.

Against this background, the present invention has the object to achieve a lower loss of radiation power with fully advantageous aesthetic effect of the visible surface.

This object is achieved by the present invention by a lighting unit for motor vehicles with the features specified in claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are specified in the subclaims.

The invention will be described below with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings.

1 shows a schematically simplified cross-sectional view through a lighting unit according to the invention for a motor vehicle.

According to 1 a luminaire unit according to the invention for a motor vehicle comprises a number of controllable lighting means 1 . 2 , The controllable bulbs 1 . 2 are present as indicated schematically recognizable as light-emitting diodes (LED) running and in a receiving space behind a preferably transparent or highly transparent radiating body 3 arranged. The radiating body 3 forms the outer contour of the lamp unit in the area of the light exit. In the simplest case, the radiating body 3 as indicated schematically in the present case be designed as a transparent lens. On the visible surface of the radiating body 3 is a decorative coating 4 created. This coating is advantageously over the edge of the radiating body 3 out to the adjacent parts of the vehicle exterior. In the simplest case, it is the coating 4 to a colored paint job. For example, the illustrated lamp unit can be accommodated as a signal light or apron light in the housing of an exterior rearview mirror. In this case, the coating becomes 4 advantageous to be carried out as extending beyond the limits of the light emission of the lamp unit extending coating the entire outer surface.

The coating 4 has a perforation with a number of fine breakthroughs 5 on, through which the light of the bulbs 1 . 2 passes through almost undisturbed. The nature of the perforation is generally such that when switched off bulbs 1 . 2 from the typical viewing distance of 1 to 2 m is not visible to the naked eye. Preferably, the breakthroughs have 5 a maximum diameter of less than 5 mm and most preferably less than 2.5 mm. The area fraction of the perforation, ie the mean proportion of the total area of all openings 5 in a reference surface element should not be more than 60%, and preferably less than 40%. The perforation can advantageously be applied directly during the application of the coating, if the coating is a clearcoat applied by screen printing. Alternatively, the perforation can also be obtained by subsequently removing small areas from a full-area coating.

To even with switched on bulbs 1 . 2 To obtain an optimal aesthetic appearance, the type, the number and the arrangement of the bulbs 1 . 2 chosen such that already at a small distance behind the visible side of the coating 4 gives an approximately uniform illuminance. In the schematic representation, the light cone and their points of intersection are indicated. Above the level "E" can be assumed to be an approximately uniform illuminance for the present purpose.

In an advantageous embodiment of the described embodiment, the openings 5 in the decorative coating 4 filled with a transparent material. As a result, a flat visible side of the component is obtained. The transparent filling material may be, for example, a subsequently applied in the openings clearcoat film. Alternatively, the transparent material of the radiating body 3 into the breakthroughs 5 protrude into it.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1, 2

Lamp

3

Radiographic body

4

coating

5

breakthroughs

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102004018695 A1 [0002]

Claims (9)

Luminaire unit for a motor vehicle with a number of controllable and in particular switchable lamps ( 1 . 2 ) and a radiating area arranged in the radiating area ( 3 ) whose surface on the side of the light exit with a decorative coating ( 4 ), the coating ( 4 ) in the manner of a perforation with a number of breakthroughs ( 5 ) is provided, through which the from the radiating body ( 3 ) light passing through substantially unimpaired, characterized in that the breakthroughs ( 5 ) with switched off state of the lamps ( 1 . 2 ) are not recognizable from a typical observation distance. Lighting unit for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the radiating body ( 3 ) is a lens. Lighting unit for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the radiating body ( 3 ) is a light guide. Lighting unit for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the radiating body ( 3 ) is made opaque or scattering in the area of the coating. Lighting unit for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the openings ( 5 ) have a maximum diameter of less than 5 mm, and more preferably less than 2.5 mm. Lighting unit for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the divergence of the radiation from the body ( 3 ) emerging light beam is at least 30 ° and preferably at least 45 °. Luminaire unit for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mean surface portion of the openings is less than 60% and preferably less than 40%. Lighting unit for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the openings ( 5 ) in the decorative coating ( 4 ) are filled with a transparent material and in particular a clearcoat. Lighting unit for a motor vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lighting means ( 1 . 2 ) comprise a number of light-emitting diodes.

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