Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Automobile
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-20
2001-09-11
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Automobile
C362S369000, C362S390000, C362S084000, C362S135000, C362S494000, C362S492000, C362S540000, C340S475000, C315S169300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286983
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a lighting device.
2. The Prior Art
Such a lighting device is known as a flexible, self-adhesive film brake light for motor vehicles according to DE 297 06 601 U1. This consists of a thin flexible film which is intensely illuminative and reflective, can be attached in a self-adhesive manner to the rear or rear window of the motor vehicle, and is supplied via a transformer with voltage through cable connections and connection to a brake light cable. A disadvantage in this respect is the rather low light intensity in such films according to present prior art, which at present comes to about 200 Candela/m
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, and the low durability of the films, so that failures frequently occur.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is now to provide a lighting element in which the light intensity is considerably increased, and whose structure offers the greatest possible protection against mechanical damage.
The object of the invention is achieved by the lighting device, wherein the lighting element is disposed on a carrier film, which has on an upper side facing said carrier film a surface structure forming reflectors, or is provided with a reflective coating. The surprising advantage in this respect is that by means of using a carrier film reducing the radiation losses an increased lighting intensity is achieved, so that the lighting element can be used also in those areas where specific minimal values do not permit the use of films known at present.
In other embodiments, the carrier film is in the form of a vibration-and/or shock-absorbing damping layer. Moreover it is advantageous that the lighting element is immovably connected, i.e. thermally glued to the carrier layer, or the lighting element is attached to the carrier film, or the lighting element is connected to the carrier film via an intermediate layer, e.g. an adhesive layer. It is also possible for the carrier film to be roughly U-shaped, and to form a receiving means for the lighting element. The advantage of these designs is that universal applicability of the lighting element is achieved by the low space requirements demanded by the overall structure, so that bulky assembly channels, which are expensive to form, and which in addition in previous lighting systems must be easily accessible for servicing and changeover of defective lamps, etc., are now eliminated. Such assembly channels also incur high costs in manufacture and precise co-ordination of materials which are suitable for deformation in order to provide such assembly channels. The invention may be used in a series of applications, e.g. for lighting and/or illuminating interior spaces, for formation of advertising messages, signs relating to danger points, emergency exit paths, without specific assembly measures. In this respect the flexibility of such lighting elements also plays a decisively positive part, as it is possible to attach them easily to spatially curved surfaces, and also to a high degree damage is effectively avoided.
In a further embodiment, the film forming the lighting element is formed with the carrier film as an integral injection-moulded part. Moreover it is advantageous that the injection-moulded part is formed from a plastics material composite of at least two electrically conductive layers connected by an electrically non-conductive insulating layer. An advantage in this respect is that in this way high quality and reliable compact elements may be manufactured particularly economically, and the desired shape and size suitable for the respective example of use can be achieved without substantial restrictions. Compact elements produced in this way are particularly suitable for mass production, as is desirable nowadays for the large batch numbers required.
A further advantage of the lighting device is that there is disposed on a surface of the film opposite the carrier film a transparent covering layer, e.g. a coloured film. An advantage in this respect is that in this way lighting fields, which emit lights of differing colours for purposes of differentiation, such for example as rear light units for motor vehicles, can be combined to form extremely compact units.
An advantageous design is characterised in that the covering layer is provided on one surface, preferably on a surface facing away from the film, with a surface structure, e.g. crystalline particles for scattering the traversing light, or the covering layer is structured on one surface, preferably on a surface facing the electro-luminescent film, in a lens shape in order to focus traversing light beams. An advantage in this respect is that in this way, as required, in accordance with the respective purpose of use of the lighting element, the emitted light beams may be given a specific direction.
A further advantage of the lighting device is that the carrier film is disposed with the film and covering layer in a vibration- and shock-absorbing peripheral layer encompassing a front and rear surface. Moreover it is advantageous that a protective layer, particularly of reversibly deformable plastic, is disposed on one surface of the film or on the covering layer laid over it. It is of advantage that in this way the lighting element can be used even at high-risk positions, e.g. in the corner area of vehicles, etc., as these latter represent a low risk of damage.
In a further embodiment, light-guiding devices, e.g. reflectors, are disposed in the protective layer, so that a further substantial influence on the light beams is possible in accordance with the requirements in the respective envisaged use.
An advantageous design is characterised in that the covering layer is designed as a connecting layer for securing the lighting element in a casing portion, e.g. in a portion of the bodywork of the vehicle, particularly of a motor vehicle, in which way, according to one design as described in claim
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, expensive assembly elements and constructive measures can be eliminated in its use.
A further advantage of the lighting device is that the lighting element may be powered via the supply and/or triggering device by pulses, particularly by low-frequency voltage pulses. It is further possible for the pulses to be formed from high-frequency pulses, particularly of a high-frequency alternating voltage. It is also possible for the frequency of the alternating voltage to be between 500 and 50 kHz. An advantage in this respect is that on the one hand the life duration of the lighting element is thereby increased, in that the chemical decomposition process of the elements is delayed by the phased pulses, which affect the inorganic or organic particles in the film. Furthermore, the light intensity may be considerably increased thereby.
A development is also possible in which a plurality of lighting elements operated independently of one another are combined in one casing portion, e.g. a portion of the bodywork of a vehicle, to form a lighting device. It is further possible for the lighting device to be acted upon by supply and/or triggering devices which are operated independently of one another. An advantage in this respect is that a wide field of application is achieved and possible designs are afforded, enabling unrestricted design for the lighting unit and thus also for the objects on or in which these latter are to be used.
It is further of advantage that the entire spectrum of the lighting elements necessary in or on a vehicle, which emit a permanent light or a flashing light in corresponding environmental circumstance, is covered.
The disposition of such a lighting device with the lighting element in or on read-view mirrors for indicating intended alterations in direction, i.e. as an additional signal flasher, is advantageously achieved in that these lighting elements require little space in their incorporation and structure, and the necessary supply and/or triggering devices can be optionally integrated at any point on the vehicle, or when designed in a hybrid manner may be integrated directly in the lighting
Macher David
Zorn Heinz
Clark Hill PLC
Husar Stephen
Ton Anabel M.
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