DE202020005567U1 - Transparent body, optical device with a transparent body - Google Patents

Abstract

Transparent body which has an upper transparent cover element (4), a lower transparent cover element (5) and at least one luminous element (6) arranged between the upper (4) and the lower cover element (5), the at least one luminous element (6) a layer (7) comprising a luminophore, and wherein the transmittance of the at least one luminous element (6) is greater than 0.7.

Description

The present invention relates to a transparent body and, more particularly, to a transparent body for decorative purposes or for displaying information or symbols.

There is an increasing need to provide displays for decorative purposes or for the presentation of information or symbols, for example for use in vehicles such as automobiles, boats and airplanes, as well as in other areas, for example for advertising purposes.

In particular, high requirements are regularly placed on the presentation of security-relevant information. Such representations must be made easily or intuitively recognizable and permanently identifying in order, for example, to be able to safely and reliably enable an escape from a danger zone in an emergency.

It is known to produce transparent bodies for decorative purposes or for displaying information or symbols by generating bubbles in a transparent body, for example by means of a laser or internal laser engraving, with incident light being scattered on the bubbles.

From the pamphlet EP 0 913 626 A1 Furthermore, a light guide plate with applied symbol-like characters and a lighting device for coupling a light beam is known, the light guide plate having a transparent cover layer with an optically thinner medium than the light guide plate on its light guide plate surface, whereby a total reflection occurs at an interface that forms between the light guide plate surface and the cover layer .

From the pamphlet DE 10 2012 201 639 A1 a photoluminescent sign for the signage of information is known, with a layer that can be activated by lighting for afterglow, which is arranged in particular on a carrier material, and a layer arranged in front for the signage of information, preferably consisting of text and / or graphic elements, the Signage layer includes translucent areas.

From the pamphlet EP 0 267 331 A1 an illuminated decorative panel arrangement is known which has a decorative element contained in a laminated, transparent arrangement, the decorative element being illuminated by means of an electroluminescent lighting device introduced behind the decorative element, and the corresponding electrical connections having transparent coatings so that it appears as if the illuminated decorative element were floating in the panel arrangement with no electrical connections visible.

From the pamphlet WO 2008/142008 A1 a laminated glass element, in particular a laminated safety glass element with an integrated electroluminescent lighting structure, is known which can be used as a decorative element and / or light element in interiors or for outdoor use.

The object of embodiments of the invention is to specify a further optimized transparent body for decorative purposes or for displaying information or symbols.

This problem is solved by the subject matter of the protection claims. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to one embodiment of the invention, this object is achieved by a transparent body which has an upper transparent cover element, a lower transparent cover element and at least one luminous element arranged between the upper and lower cover element, the at least one luminous element having a layer comprising a luminophore, and wherein the transmittance of the at least one luminous element is greater than 0.7.

A luminophore is a substance that emits light after it has previously been stimulated with shorter-wave light or light in the invisible wave spectrum, by ionizing radiation or chemically. Luminophores absorb incident light in the invisible range and emit light in the visible wave range. Examples of such luminophores are organic fluorescent dyes such as fluorescein, inorganic compound semiconductors such as cadmium selenide or zinc sulfide, or nanomaterials.

Such a transparent body has the advantage that it provides an improved transparent body for decorative purposes or for displaying information or symbols. Another advantage is that no electrical connections to the symbol area are required on the lamp itself, as is required, for example, with an electroluminescent system

In particular, a transparent body for displaying static, luminous symbols is specified, the symbols being displayed in the interior of the transparent body as would these float. The fact that the at least one luminous element has a layer comprising a luminophore also has the advantage that such a luminous element, compared to other conventional luminous elements, has a higher degree of efficiency with at the same time increased resistance to aging or service life. In addition, the luminosity of the colors presented can be improved. The fact that the degree of transmission, that is to say the degree of light permeability of the at least one luminous element, is greater than 0.7, also has the advantage that the at least one luminous element has a transparent look. This means that the transparent body is completely transparent in the non-excited state and information or symbols represented by the at least one luminous body appear invisible in the non-excited state. Overall, a transparent body is thus specified with properties that are transparent or actively luminous, depending on the situation.

The layer comprising a luminophore can have a thickness between 50 nm and 200 nm. By appropriate selection of the thickness of the layer comprising a luminophore, it can be ensured, for example, that the at least one luminous element has a transmittance of greater than 0.7. Furthermore, a transmittance of greater than 0.7 can also be achieved by setting the luminophore concentration accordingly in the layer comprising a luminophore, the luminophore concentration to be selected also being based on the properties of the luminophore selected.

In addition, the transparent body can further have a light guide having scattering particles. The scattering particles generate a scattering field and partially couple out light waves, whereby a desired light conduction is achieved and the transparent body can be further optimized for decorative purposes or for displaying information or symbols. Furthermore, the light conduction or light control can also be implemented by means of other elements, for example by means of reflectors.

Furthermore, the transparent body can also have at least one UV filter. Such a UV filter has the advantage that UV light, i.e. short-wave light used to excite or activate the luminophore, remains within the transparent body, i.e. the exit of UV light is blocked, which further prevents light losses. Furthermore, at least one UV mirror or a corresponding rear-reflecting element can also be used in order to avoid such light losses. The at least one UV filter can also be implemented by appropriate selection of the properties of the upper or lower cover element.

In one embodiment, the transparent body can have a first luminous element, which has a layer comprising a first luminophore, and a second luminous element, which has a layer comprising a second luminophore that is different from the first luminophore. The fact that the first luminophore is different from the second luminophore means that the first and the second luminophore have different excitation areas. Furthermore, the first and the second luminophore can also each emit different colors. In this way, complex or changing symbols can also be displayed, so that the transparent body can be optimized even further for decorative purposes or for displaying information or symbols. For example, this can be used to signal that a motor vehicle headlight is in a switched-on state or in a switched-off state, the switched-on state and the switched-off state each being symbolized by a different color. Furthermore, such a transparent body can also emit light in two different colors at the same time.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, an optical device is also specified which has a transparent body as described above and a light source, the light source being designed to activate the layer comprising a luminophore.

The light source can in particular be a UV light source, for example one or more LEDs, preferably in the wavelength range between 370 nm and 390 nm, and / or an infrared light source, preferably in the wavelength range between 850 nm and 890 nm.

Such an optical device has the advantage that it has an improved transparent body for decorative purposes or for displaying information or symbols. The fact that the at least one luminous element has a layer comprising a luminophore has the advantage that such a luminous element, compared to other conventional luminous elements, has a higher degree of efficiency with at the same time increased resistance to aging or service life. In addition, the luminosity of the colors presented can be improved. The fact that the degree of transmission, that is to say the degree of light permeability of the at least one luminous element, is greater than 0.7 in this case also has the advantage that the at least one luminous element has a transparent optic will. This means that the transparent body is completely transparent in the non-excited state and information or symbols represented by the at least one luminous body appear invisible in the non-excited state.

The optical device can further have a rear-reflecting element arranged next to the transparent body, the rear-reflecting element being designed to reflect light losses back into the transparent body. The fact that the rear-reflecting element is arranged next to the transparent body means that the rear-reflecting element is arranged adjacent to the transparent body in such a way that light losses can be efficiently reflected back into the transparent body. In this way, in particular, lateral loss of light can be avoided. The rear-reflecting element can also be, for example, a UV filter, a UV mirror or another reflective element.

Furthermore, the light source can be arranged next to the transparent body in such a way that volume illumination of the layer comprising a luminophore is made possible. Volume lighting of this type has the advantage that an increase in contrast can be achieved and, in particular through interaction with the atmosphere, decorative effects or effects can be added to the display of information or symbols.

Furthermore, an anti-reflection layer can also be applied to at least part of an outer surface of the transparent body. Such anti-reflection layers are used to suppress the reflection from optical surfaces and to increase the transmission. The transparency of the transparent body can thus be further optimized.

A method for producing a transparent body is also specified, the method comprising providing an upper cover element and a lower cover element, applying at least one luminous element to an inner surface of the upper cover element or to an inner surface of the lower cover element, the at least a luminous element has a layer comprising a luminophore, and wherein the transmittance of the at least one luminous element is greater than 0.7, and a joining of the upper cover element, the lower cover element and the at least one luminous element to form a transparent body.

A luminophore is a substance that emits light after it has previously been stimulated with shorter-wave light or light in the invisible wave spectrum, by ionizing radiation or chemically. Luminophores absorb incident light in the invisible range and emit light in the visible wave range. Examples of such luminophores are organic fluorescent dyes such as fluorescein, inorganic compound semiconductors such as cadmium selenide or zinc sulfide, or nanomaterials.

Such a method has the advantage that it produces an improved transparent body for decorative purposes or for displaying information or symbols. The fact that the at least one luminous element has a layer comprising a luminophore has the advantage that such a luminous element, compared to other conventional luminous elements, has a higher degree of efficiency with at the same time increased resistance to aging or service life. In addition, the luminosity of the colors presented can be improved. The fact that the degree of transmission, that is to say the degree of light permeability of the at least one luminous element, is greater than 0.7, also has the advantage that the at least one luminous element has a transparent look. This means that the transparent body is completely transparent in the non-excited state and information or symbols represented by the at least one luminous body appear invisible in the non-excited state.

The at least one luminous element can for example be directly printed or vapor-deposited, or laminated in as a separate, printed film or connected by means of optical bonding. The inner surface of the upper cover element and the inner surface of the lower cover element are each an outer surface of the corresponding cover element opposite surface, the inner surface of the upper cover element and the inner surface of the lower cover element after the individual components have been joined together to form one transparent body each do not form an outer surface of the transparent body.

The step of joining the upper cover element, the lower cover element and the at least one luminous element together can include an optical bonding of the upper cover element, the lower cover element and the at least one luminous element. Optical bonding is a process-reliable, air-bubble-free assembly technique. Overall, an optically homogeneous transparent body can thus be produced without visual defects.

Furthermore, the method can include an introduction of a light guide having scattering particles into the transparent body. The scatter particles generate a stray field and partially couple out light waves, whereby a desired light conduction is achieved and the transparent body can be further optimized for decorative purposes or for the display of information or symbols. In this case, the at least one luminous element can also be printed or vapor-deposited directly onto the light guide, for example. Furthermore, the upper cover element, the lower cover element, the at least one luminous element and the light guide can be joined together to form a transparent body by optical bonding.

In addition, the method can include the introduction of at least one UV filter into the transparent body. Introducing such a UV filter has the advantage that UV light, i.e. short-wave light used to excite or activate the luminophore, remains within the transparent body and the exit of UV light is blocked, thereby avoiding further light losses. The at least one luminous element can, for example, also be directly printed or vapor-deposited onto the UV filter. Furthermore, the upper cover element, the lower cover element, the at least one luminous element, the UV filter and / or the light guide can be joined together to form a transparent body by optical bonding.

In one embodiment, the step of applying at least one luminous element to an inner surface of the upper cover element or to an inner surface of the lower cover element can further include applying a first luminous element, which has a layer comprising a first luminophore, and a second luminous element, which has a second, different from the first luminophore comprising luminophore layer, on the inner surface of the upper cover element or the inner surface of the lower cover element. In this way, a transparent body can be created with which the display of complex or changing symbols can also be implemented. For example, it can be signaled here that a motor vehicle headlight is in a switched-on state or in a switched-off state, the switched-on state and the switched-off state each being symbolized by a different color. Furthermore, such a transparent body can also emit light in two different colors at the same time.

Furthermore, the method can also include applying an anti-reflection layer to at least part of an outer surface of the transparent body. Such anti-reflection layers are used to suppress the reflection from optical surfaces and to increase the transmission. The transparency of the transparent body can thus be further optimized.

In summary, it should be stated that the present invention provides an improved transparent body for decorative purposes or for displaying information or symbols. In particular, a transparent body is specified which, depending on the situation, has transparent or actively luminous properties.

The fact that the at least one luminous element has a layer comprising a luminophore has the advantage that such a luminous element, compared to other conventional luminous elements, has a higher degree of efficiency with at the same time increased resistance to aging or service life. In addition, the luminosity of the colors presented can be improved.

Because the degree of transmission of the at least one luminous element is greater than 0.7, a transparent optic of the at least one luminous element is also achieved. This means that the transparent body is completely transparent in the non-excited state and information or symbols represented by the at least one luminous body appear invisible in the non-excited state.

Furthermore, complex or changing symbols can also be implemented or the transparent body can be designed to simultaneously emit light in two different colors if it has a first luminous element, which has a layer comprising a first luminophore, and a second luminous element, which has a having a second luminophore comprising layer different from the first luminophore.

• 1 zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht einer optischen Vorrichtung gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 2 zeigt eine Querschnittsansicht einer optischen Vorrichtung gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung;
• 3 zeigt ein Flussdiagramm eines Verfahrens zur Herstellung eines transparenten Körpers gemäß Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures.

• 1 Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an optical device according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• 2 Fig. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an optical device according to a second embodiment of the invention;
• 3 shows a flow chart of a method for producing a transparent body according to an embodiment of the invention.

1 Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an optical device 1 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

More and more there is a need for it, for decorative purposes or for the representation of To provide information or symbols illuminated displays, for example for use in vehicles, such as automobiles, boats and airplanes, as well as in other areas, for example for advertising purposes.

In particular, high requirements are regularly placed on the display of security-relevant information. Such displays must be carried out in an easily recognizable and permanently identifying manner in order, for example, to be able to safely and reliably enable an escape from a danger zone in an emergency.

The optical device according to the in 1 The first embodiment shown here has a transparent body 2 , which can be, for example, a spoke of a steering wheel made of glass, and a light source 3 on.

As 1 further shows, the transparent body has an upper cover element 4th , a lower deck element 5 and one between the upper deck member 4th and the lower cover element 5 arranged luminous body 6th on.

In the case of the upper deck element 4th and the lower cover element 5 each is a transparent glass body. Furthermore, the upper cover element and the lower cover element can also each be panes of transparent laminated glass. Laminated glass is generally a laminate with at least two glass or plastic panes, which are connected by a transparent, adhesive intermediate layer made of plastic, for example cast resin or a highly tear-resistant, tough, elastic thermoplastic composite film.

According to the first embodiment, the luminous element 6th furthermore a layer comprising a luminophore 7th on, where the transmittance of the filament 6th is also greater than 0.7.

A luminophore is a substance that emits light after it has previously been stimulated with shorter-wave light or light in the invisible wave spectrum, by ionizing radiation or chemically. Luminophores absorb incident light in the invisible range and emit light in the visible wave range. Examples of such luminophores are organic fluorescent dyes such as fluorescein, inorganic compound semiconductors such as cadmium selenide or zinc sulfide, or nanomaterials.

Such a transparent body 2 has the advantage that it provides an improved transparent body for decorative purposes or for displaying information or symbols. In particular, a transparent body is used 2 specified for the representation of static, luminous symbols, the symbols in such a way inside the transparent body 2 appear as if they are floating. That the filament 6th thereby a layer comprising a luminophore 7th also has the advantage that such a luminous element 6th Compared to other common luminaries, it has a higher degree of efficiency and at the same time increased resistance to aging and service life. In addition, the luminosity of the colors presented can be improved. That the degree of transmission, i.e. the degree of light permeability of the luminous element 6th is greater than 0.7, also has the advantage that the luminous element has a transparent optic 6th is achieved. That is, the transparent body 2 is completely transparent in the non-excited state and through the luminous body 6th The information or symbols shown appear invisible in the non-excited state. The overall result is a transparent body 2 indicated with situation-dependent transparent or actively luminous properties.

To ensure that the transmittance of the filament 6th is greater than 0.7, the layer comprising a luminophore has 7th a thickness between 50nm and 200nm. Furthermore, a transmittance of greater than 0.7 can also be achieved by setting the luminophore concentration accordingly in the layer comprising a luminophore, the luminophore concentration to be selected also being based on the properties of the luminophore selected. In contrast, any desired thicknesses can be selected for the upper cover element and the lower cover element.

As 1 shows shows the transparent body 2 according to the first embodiment further an optical UV filter 8th on, whereby loss of light can be avoided. The UV filter 8th is formed according to the first embodiment by a vapor-deposited filter layer. The UV filter 8th can also be formed by one or more foils and / or a disk made of impermeable material.

At the light source 3 it is also a UV light source 9 , being the UV light source 9 is formed, the layer comprising a luminophore 7th to activate. The UV light source can be formed, for example, by one or more LEDs in the wavelength range between 370 nm and 390 nm.

According to the first embodiment, the optical device 1 further one next to the transparent body 2 arranged rearview mirror element 10 on, being the rear-view element 10 is formed, light losses in the transparent body 2 to reflect back. The fact that the rear-reflecting element is arranged next to the transparent body means that the rear-reflecting element is arranged adjacent to the transparent body in such a way that light losses can be efficiently reflected back into the transparent body. According to the first embodiment, it is the rear-view reflective element 10 then a second UV filter 11th .

2 Figure 10 shows a cross-sectional view of an optical device 20th according to a second embodiment of the invention. Components and parts with the same design or function as in 1 have the same reference symbols and are not discussed separately.

According to the in 2 The second embodiment shown has the transparent body 21 for light conduction furthermore a light guide having scattering particles 22nd on. The light guide 22nd preferably has a thickness between 1 mm and 3 mm.

According to the second embodiment, the light source is 3 also like this next to the transparent body 21 is arranged that a volume illumination of the layer comprising a luminophore 7th is made possible.

The transparent body 2 also has another one between the light guide 22nd and the lower cover element 5 arranged UV filter 23 on.

Furthermore, on at least a part of an outer surface 24 of the transparent body 21 another, in 2 not shown, be applied anti-reflective layer.

3 shows a flow diagram of a method 30th for producing a transparent body according to an embodiment of the invention.

As 3 shows, the method has the following steps: An upper cover element and a lower cover element are provided 31 , will be in a further step 32 at least one luminous element is applied to an inner surface of the upper cover element or to an inner surface of the lower cover element, the at least one luminous element having a layer comprising a luminophore, and the transmittance of the at least one luminous element being greater than 0.7, and are shown in another step 33 the upper cover element, the lower cover element and the at least one luminous element joined together to form a transparent body.

The at least one luminous element can for example be directly printed or vapor-deposited, or laminated in as a separate, printed film or connected by means of optical bonding. The inner surface of the upper cover element and the inner surface of the lower cover element are each a surface opposite to an outer surface of the corresponding cover element, the inner surface of the upper cover element and the inner surface of the lower cover element after joining together individual components to a transparent body each do not form an outer surface of the transparent body.

The step 33 the joining of the upper cover element, the lower cover element and the at least one luminous element comprises an optical bonding of the upper cover element, the lower cover element and the at least one luminous element, or the upper cover element with the applied, at least one luminous element and the lower cover element, or the lower cover element with the applied, at least one luminous element and the upper cover element.

According to the embodiments of 3 instructs the step 32 applying at least one luminous element to an inner surface of the upper cover element or to an inner surface of the lower cover element, applying a first luminous element which has a layer comprising a first luminophore, and a second luminous element which has a second luminophore different from the first luminophore Luminophore comprising layer having on the inner surface of the upper lid member or the inner surface of the lower lid member. In this way, a transparent body can be created with which the display of complex or changing symbols can also be implemented. Furthermore, such a transparent body can also emit light in two different colors at the same time. The layer comprising a first luminophore can be excited, for example, by light in the range between 370 nm and 390 nm and the layer comprising a second luminophore can be excited, for example, by light in the range between 850 nm and 890 nm, the light source being formed as well as the first luminophore comprehensive layer, as well as to stimulate the layer comprising a second luminophore.

As 3 shows instructs the procedure 30th also a step 34 applying an anti-reflective layer to at least part of an outer surface of the transparent body.

List of reference symbols

1

optical device

2

transparent body

3

Light source

4th

upper deck element

5

lower deck element

6th

Luminous body

7th

a layer comprising a luminophore

8th

UV filter

9

UV light source

10

rear-view element

11th

second UV filter

20th

optical device

21

transparent body

22nd

Light guide

23

another UV filter

24

outer surface

30th

procedure

31

Process step

32

Process step

33

Process step

34

Process step

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was 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.

Patent literature cited

• EP 0913626 A1 [0005]
• DE 102012201639 A1 [0006]
• EP 0267331 A1 [0007]
• WO 2008/142008 A1 [0008]

Claims (9)

Transparent body which has an upper transparent cover element (4), a lower transparent cover element (5) and at least one luminous element (6) arranged between the upper (4) and the lower cover element (5), the at least one luminous element (6) a layer (7) comprising a luminophore, and wherein the transmittance of the at least one luminous element (6) is greater than 0.7. Transparent body after Claim 1 wherein the layer (8) comprising a luminophore has a thickness between 50 nm and 200 nm. Transparent body after Claim 1 or 2 wherein the transparent body (21) further comprises a light guide (22) having scattering particles. Transparent body according to one of the Claims 1 until 3 , wherein the transparent body (2,21) further comprises at least one UV filter (8,23). Transparent body according to one of the Claims 1 until 4th wherein the transparent body has a first luminous element which has a layer comprising a first luminophore, and a second luminous element which has a layer comprising a second luminophore which is different from the first luminophore. Optical device which has a transparent body (2.21) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 and a light source (3), the light source (3) being designed to activate the layer (7) comprising a luminophore. Optical device according to Claim 6 wherein the optical device (1,20) further comprises a rear-reflecting element (10) arranged next to the transparent body (2,21), the rear-reflecting element (10) being designed to reflect light losses back into the transparent body (2,21) . Optical device according to Claim 6 or 7th wherein the light source (3) is arranged next to the transparent body (21) in such a way that volume illumination of the layer (7) comprising a luminophore is made possible. Optical device according to one of the Claims 6 until 8th wherein an anti-reflective layer is further disposed on at least a part of an outer surface (24) of the transparent body (21).

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