Motor vehicle

Abstract

A motor vehicle has an exterior coating. A fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance is added to the exterior coating or forms a part of the exterior coating. The fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance serves to emit light, in particular red, green and/or blue light, in a visible range upon irradiation by light in an invisible range.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a partial diagrammatic view of an exemplary embodiment of an exterior coating of a motor vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a similar view of a further exemplary embodiment of an exterior coating of a motor vehicle;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of an exterior light of a motor vehicle;

FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an exterior light of a motor vehicle;

FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an exterior light of a motor vehicle;

FIG. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle; and

FIG. 8 shows the motor vehicle in a front view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle 1 having an exterior light 3. FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of an exterior coating 10 of the motor vehicle 1. The exterior coating 10 is, at least partially, applied to the body 13 of the motor vehicle 1 and comprises at least a transparent coating layer 11 and an opaque coating layer 12. The transparent coating layer 11 and the opaque coating layer 12 can for their part each comprise a number of coating layers. As symbolized by the dots denoted by reference numerals 14, an added fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance is provided in the transparent coating layer 11 for emitting light in a visible range upon irradiation by light in an invisible range.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative exemplary embodiment of an exterior coating 20 for the motor vehicle 1. The exterior coating 20 is (at least partially) applied to the body 13 of the motor vehicle 1 and, like the exterior coating 10, comprises at least a transparent coating layer 21 and an opaque coating layer 22. The transparent coating layer 21 and the opaque coating layer 22 can for their part likewise each comprise a number of coating layers. As symbolized by the dots denoted by reference symbols 24, an added fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance is provided in the opaque coating layer 22 for emitting light in a visible range upon irradiation by light in an invisible range.

The layers are drawn in FIGS. 2 and 3 with simplicity and clarity in mind and not necessarily to scale. Thus, for example, the orders of magnitude of some layers are represented exaggeratedly by comparison with other layers in order to improve the understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a refinement of the exterior light 3. The exterior light 3 comprises three light sources 31, 32, 33 predominantly or substantially exclusively for emitting light in an invisible range, the light emitted by means of the light source 32 have a wavelength other than the light emitted by means of the light sources 31 and 33. The light sources 31, 32, 33 are arranged in a housing 34 covered by an least partially transparent cover 39. Reference symbol 37 denotes an outer side of the at least partially transparent cover 39, and reference symbol 38 denotes a side averted from the outer side 37 of the at least partially transparent cover 39.

As symbolized by the dots denoted by reference symbols 36, the at least partially transparent cover 39 comprises a fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance for emitting light in a visible range upon irradiation by light emitted by the light sources 31, 32, 33 in the invisible range. Upon irradiation by red light emitted by the light sources 31 and 33, the fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance emits red light, and upon irradiation by light emitted by the light source 32, it emits white light. The exterior light 3 is used to implement a brake light, a tail light and a backup light. If a function as tail light is desired, light source 31 is switched on. If a function as backup light is desired, light source 32 is switched on. If a function as brake light is desired, the light sources 31 and 33 are switched on.

FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an exterior light 40 for a motor vehicle. The exterior light 40 can be used, for example, alternatively to the exterior light 3. The exterior light 40 comprises five light sources 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 predominantly or substantially exclusively for emitting light in an invisible range. The light sources 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 are arranged on an at least partially transparent cover 49.

Light emitted by means of the light sources 41 and 43 has a wavelength other than the light emitted by means of the light sources 42, 44 and 45. Light emitted by means of the light sources 42 and 44 has a wavelength other than the light emitted by means of the light source 45. As symbolized by the dots denoted by reference symbols 46, the at least partially transparent cover 49 comprises a fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance for emitting light in a visible range-upon irradiation by light emitted by the light sources 41, 42, 43, 44 and 45 in the invisible range. Upon irradiation by light emitted by the light sources 41 and 43, the fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance emits red light, upon irradiation by light emitted by the light sources 42 and 44, it emits white light, and upon irradiation by light emitted by the light source 45, it emits yellow light. A brake light, a tail light, a direction indicator and a backup light are implemented by means of the exterior light 40. If a function as tail light is desired, the light source 41 is switched on, if a function as backup light is desired, the light sources 42 and 44 are switched on, if a function as brake light is desired, the light sources 41 and 43 are switched on, and if a function as direction indicator is desired, the light source 45 is switched on.

FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an exterior light 50 for a motor vehicle. The exterior light 50 can be used, for example, alternatively to the exterior light 3. The exterior light 50 comprises four light sources 51, 52, 53 and 54 predominantly or substantially exclusively for emitting light in an invisible range. The light sources 51, 52, 53 and 54 are arranged in an at least partially transparent cover 59.

Light emitted by means of the light sources 51 and 53 has a wavelength other than the light emitted by means of the light sources 52 and 54. Light emitted by means of the light source 52 has a wavelength other than the light emitted by means of the light source 54. As symbolized by the dots denoted by reference symbols 56, the at least partially transparent cover 59 comprises a fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance for emitting light in a visible range upon irradiation by light emitted by the light sources 51, 52, 53 and 54 in the invisible range. Upon irradiation by light emitted by the light sources 51 and 53, the fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance emits red light, upon irradiation by light emitted by the light source 52, it emits white light, and upon irradiation by light emitted by the light source 54, it emits yellow light. A brake light, a tail light, a direction indicator and a backup light are implemented by means of the exterior light 50. If a function as tail light is desired, the light source 51 is switched on, if a function as backup light is desired, the light source 52 is switched on, if a function as brake light is desired, the light sources 51 and 53 are switched on, and if a function as direction indicator is desired, the light source 54 is switched on.

The at least partially transparent covers 39, 49, 59 can, for example, be made from glass or plastic (for example polycarbonate, acrylic etc.). The fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance can be added to the at least partially transparent covers 39, 49, 59 or be arranged on them. The invisible light emitted by the light sources 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54 can be near ultraviolet light, ultraviolet light, near infrared light or infrared light. The light sources 31, 32, 33, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54 can, for example, be configured as LED, CCFL or OLED. It can be provided to arrange light sources laterally on the at least partially transparent cover.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a further exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle 61, FIG. 7 showing a detail of the motor vehicle 61 in a rear perspective illustration, and FIG. 8 showing a motor vehicle 61 in a front view. The motor vehicle 61 comprises an exterior light 63 that is integrated in the outer skin 62 of the motor vehicle 61. The exterior light 63 is configured, in particular, in accordance with the exterior light 40 or 50. It is particularly provided in this case that the at least partially transparent cover 49 or 59 is part of the outer skin 62. Here, the at least partially transparent cover 49 or 59 includes a color that corresponds at least partially to a color of an exterior coating of the motor vehicle 61. The exterior light 63 is invisible, or virtually invisible, in the switched off state.

In addition, the motor vehicle 61 comprises trim strips 64, 65 and 66 having a fluorescing or phosphorescing substance for emitting light in a visible range upon irradiation by light in an invisible range. The fluorescing and/or phosphorescing substance can be added to the trim strips 64, 65 and 66 or be arranged on them. The trim strips 64, 65 and 66 can, for example, be made from plastic (for example polycarbonate, acrylic, polypropylene, polyethylene etc.) and/or from metal (aluminum, chromium, steel etc.).

Claims

1. A motor vehicle, comprising: an exterior coating; anda fluorescing or phosphorescing substance added into said exterior coating or into a part of said exterior coating, said substance being configured to emit light in a visible range upon irradiation by light in an non-visible range.

2. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said fluorescing or phosphorescing substance is transparent to light in the visible range.

3. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said exterior coating comprises a transparent coating layer and said fluorescing or phosphorescing substance is disposed in said transparent coating layer.

4. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said exterior coating comprises a coating layer transparent to light in the visible range, and said fluorescing or phosphorescing substance is disposed in said coating layer transparent to light in the visible range.

5. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said exterior coating comprises an opaque coating layer, and said fluorescing or phosphorescing substance is disposed in said opaque coating layer.

6. The motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein said exterior coating comprises a coating layer opaque to light in the visible range, and said fluorescing or phosphorescing substance is disposed in said coating layer opaque to light in the invisible range.

7. A motor vehicle, comprising: a trim strip; anda fluorescing or phosphorescing substance connected to said trim strip, said substance being configured to emitting light in a visible range upon irradiation by light in a non-visible range.

8. The motor vehicle according to claim 7, which comprises substantially no light source for substantial irradiation of said trim strip.

9. In combination with a motor vehicle, an exterior light comprising: an at least partially transparent cover, said at least partially transparent cover including a fluorescing or phosphorescing substance for emitting light in a visible range upon irradiation by light in an invisible range; anda light source, assigned to said at least partially transparent cover, for emitting light.

10. The motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the exterior light is configured as a brake light.

11. The motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the exterior light is configured as a tail light.

12. The motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the exterior light is configured as a backup light.

13. The motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the exterior light is configured as a direction indicator.

14. The motor vehicle according to claim 9, in which the at least partially transparent cover includes a color that corresponds at least partially to a color of an exterior coating of the motor vehicle.

15. The motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein said at least partially transparent cover forms a part of an outer skin of the motor vehicle.