Patent Description:
Lighting assemblies are utilized to provide illumination for an area. For example, light assemblies can be used in enclosed areas, such as interiors of buildings or vehicles, and open areas, such as for lighting roads or walkways, to enhance visibility in the surrounding vicinity. In enclosed areas like the interiors of vehicles, lighting assemblies are often utilized for the production of ambient lighting conditions so as to ensure that people in the vehicle interior can visibly see the object(s), person(s), and or environment around them.

It is common practice to utilize light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in lighting assemblies for producing light. However, looking directly at LEDs and/or other relatively intense light sources can be uncomfortable and irritating to the eyes. This is especially true in closed areas like the interiors of vehicles such as aircraft or the like. In aircraft interiors, lighting assemblies are often placed overhead on, for example, a headliner panel and/or ceiling of the aircraft interior. Because of limited space in aircraft interiors, these lighting assemblies are usually disposed in the passengers' and crew's line of sight. As such, these directly visible light sources can be unsightly and uncomfortable for passenger(s) and/or other occupants(s).

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a lighting assembly for an interior of an aircraft and an interior panel and an aircraft that includes a lighting assembly that addresses one or more of the foregoing issues. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the various embodiments described herein will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

<CIT> relates to a frame unit for arrangement around a window opening in a vehicle. <CIT> relates to a vehicle interior dome and map/reading lighting assembly. <CIT> relates to a wall element for an interior of a passenger cabin of an aircraft having a wall area and an illuminating device for illuminating the wall area. The wall element further comprises a screen spaced apart from the wall area so that the result is an indirect illuminating device, which is hidden by the screen in such a way that it is not visible from the interior. The illuminating device is then used for the indirect illumination of the wall area. The illuminating device comprises a plurality of the lighting modules. The wall area is a dome curved concavely away from the interior and having a circular circumferential line. The screen surrounds the dome in the manner of a circular ring, and the lighting modules are likewise arranged in the manner of a circular ring, surrounding the dome. The central longitudinal axes of all the lighting modules are each arranged in the tangential direction of the circumferential line of the dome.

The present invention relates to a lighting assembly for an interior of an aircraft, an interior panel for an interior of an aircraft, and an aircraft, as defined in the claims.

The following Detailed Description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the various embodiments or the application and uses thereof. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

Various embodiments contemplated herein relate to a lighting assembly for an interior of an aircraft, an interior panel for an interior of an aircraft, and an aircraft. The exemplary embodiments taught herein provide an aircraft that includes an aircraft structure having an interior. In an exemplary embodiment, the aircraft structure is, for example, a fuselage. The aircraft further includes an interior panel that is disposed in the interior. In an exemplary embodiment, the interior panel is a headliner panel that is disposed in an upper area of the interior. The interior panel, for example, forms at least a part of a ceiling, roof, and/or overhead surface or covering.

The interior panel includes an interior panel section having a first panel surface facing towards the interior and a second panel surface disposed opposite the first panel surface. The interior panel section has a panel opening formed therethrough and includes a lighting assembly that is coupled to the interior panel section about the panel opening.

The lighting assembly includes a backing structure disposed proximate to the second panel surface and extending over the panel opening. The backing structure has a first backing surface facing towards the panel opening.

The lighting assembly further includes a bezel that is disposed proximate to the second panel surface. The interior panel section is disposed between the bezel and the backing structure. The bezel includes a wall that is disposed in the panel opening and that extends from a wall outer edge portion to a wall inner edge portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the wall outer edge portion extends towards the first backing surface to the wall inner edge portion. The wall inner edge portion is spaced apart from the first backing surface to define a gap and surrounds an opening that exposes at least a portion of the first backing surface to the interior.

The lighting assembly includes a light source disposed between the backing structure and the bezel and covered by the wall. In an exemplary embodiment, the light source is recessed relative to the wall inner edge portion. The light source is operative to produce light that passes from the light source through the gap onto the first backing surface and is reflected therefrom through the opening to the interior.

In an exemplary embodiment, advantageously covering the light source with the wall and arranging it between the backing structure and the bezel produces light that passes from the light source through the gap onto the first backing surface and is reflected therefrom through the opening into the interior as indirect light. This produces ample light in an aircraft interior for passenger(s) and/or crew member(s) to see clearly without the discomfort and irritation that may otherwise result from lighting assemblies utilizing light sources that are directly visible to the passenger(s) and/or other occupant(s).

<FIG> illustrates a top view of a vehicle <NUM> including lighting assemblies <NUM> in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The vehicle <NUM> is an aircraft <NUM>.

The vehicle <NUM> includes a vehicle structure <NUM> that has an interior <NUM>. The vehicle structure <NUM> is an aircraft structure <NUM>. The interior <NUM> includes an upper area (illustrated by dashed lines <NUM>). In an exemplary embodiment, the upper area <NUM> includes at least one interior panel <NUM> that forms at least a part of a ceiling, a roof, a headliner structure, and/or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the interior panel is a headliner panel that is disposed in the upper area <NUM> of the interior <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the interior panel <NUM> includes at least one lighting assembly <NUM>. As illustrated, the lighting assemblies <NUM> are disposed in the upper area <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. Although the lighting assemblies <NUM> are illustrated as being disposed in the upper area <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>, it is to be understood that various alternate embodiments may include the lighting assemblies <NUM> as being disposed in and/or on another surface or structure in the interior <NUM>, for example, in which the interior panel <NUM> forms at least part of a wall, a floor, a bulkhead, a separating panel, an overhead surface, and/or the like. Further, although the vehicle <NUM> is illustrated as having a singular lighting assembly <NUM>, it is to be understood that various alternate embodiments of the vehicle <NUM> include the vehicle <NUM> having more than one lighting assembly <NUM>.

Referring also to <FIG> and <FIG>, in an exemplary embodiment, the interior panel <NUM> includes an interior panel section <NUM> and has an panel surface <NUM> that faces towards the interior <NUM> and an panel surface <NUM> disposed opposite the panel surface <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the interior panel section <NUM> has a panel opening <NUM> formed therethrough. The lighting assembly <NUM> is coupled to the interior panel section <NUM> about the panel opening <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the interior panel <NUM> includes a decorative layer <NUM>, such as, for example, a fabric or textile layer, leather, a synthetic leather, or the like and includes the panel surface <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the interior panel <NUM> includes a honeycomb structure <NUM> such as a Nextel® honeycomb structure and may include a nylon fiber material, an aramid fiber material, a fiberglass material, or the like. The interior panel <NUM> may include a high-density foam <NUM> disposed between the decorative layer <NUM> and the honeycomb structure <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the interior panel section <NUM> includes a localized thickened area <NUM> (e.g., localized additional honeycomb structure) about the panel opening <NUM> overlying the honeycomb structure <NUM> to enhance fastening or otherwise securing the lighting assembly <NUM> to the interior panel <NUM>. As illustrated and will be discussed in further detail below, the localized thickened area <NUM> of the interior panel section <NUM> has holes <NUM> that are spaced apart from the panel opening <NUM> and that receive threaded fasteners <NUM> for fastening or otherwise securing the lighting assembly <NUM> to the interior panel <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting assembly <NUM> includes a backing structure <NUM>, a lighting tray <NUM> that includes a light source(s), and a bezel <NUM>. The backing structure <NUM> is disposed adjacent to the panel surface <NUM> and extends over the panel opening <NUM>. The backing structure <NUM> is configured such that the backing structure <NUM> faces towards the interior <NUM> when the lighting assembly <NUM> is mounted in the vehicle <NUM>. As illustrated, the backing structure <NUM> has a backing surface <NUM> that faces towards the panel opening <NUM> and towards the interior <NUM> when the lighting assembly <NUM> is mounted in the interior <NUM> of the vehicle <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the backing surface <NUM> is configured as or otherwise has a concave surface <NUM> that includes a backing surface portion <NUM>. The backing surface portion <NUM> is exposed (e.g., direct line of sight) to the interior <NUM> and a backing surface portion <NUM> surrounds the backing surface portion <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the backing surface portion <NUM> is hidden (e.g., not in a direct line of sight) from the interior <NUM>. The backing structure <NUM> further includes a backing surface <NUM> that is disposed opposite the backing surface <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the backing structure <NUM> includes a decorative covering <NUM> such as a fabric or textile layer, leather, a synthetic leather, or the like and includes the backing surface <NUM>. As illustrated, the backing structure <NUM> further includes a substrate <NUM> that is, for example, formed of a relatively rigid material such as a polymeric material, a plastic material, a composite material, or the like and includes the backing surface <NUM>. The decorative covering <NUM> overlays or is otherwise supported by the substrate <NUM>.

Extending laterally outward in opposing directions, the backing structure <NUM> includes tabs <NUM>. The tabs <NUM> have holes <NUM> formed therethrough that receive, for example, threaded fasteners <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) that secure the backing structure <NUM> to the interior panel section <NUM>.

At least a portion of the bezel <NUM> is disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the backing structure <NUM> and the bezel <NUM> includes a wall <NUM> that extends from a wall outer edge portion <NUM> to a wall inner edge portion <NUM>. The wall <NUM> of the bezel <NUM> includes a bezel wall surface <NUM> that faces towards the backing structure <NUM> and a bezel wall surface <NUM> that is opposite the bezel wall surface <NUM>. As illustrated, the bezel wall surface <NUM> is exposed (e.g., direct line of sight) to the interior <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the wall <NUM> extends from the wall outer edge portion <NUM> inwardly and generally towards the backing surface <NUM> to the wall inner edge portion <NUM> such that the bezel wall surface <NUM> includes a concave wall surface section <NUM> and the bezel wall surface <NUM> includes a convex wall surface section <NUM>. As such, the backing surface portion <NUM> is substantially covered by the wall <NUM> of the bezel <NUM> and the backing surface portion <NUM> is hidden (e.g., not in direct line of sight) from the interior <NUM>.

The wall inner edge portion <NUM> is adjacent to and spaced apart from the backing surface <NUM> to define a gap <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the wall inner edge portion <NUM> surrounds an opening <NUM> that is exposed (e.g., direct line of sight) to the interior <NUM>. The opening <NUM> is sized or otherwise configured to expose at least a portion of the backing surface <NUM> to the interior <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the opening <NUM> exposes the backing surface portion <NUM> to the interior <NUM> so that, for example, the backing surface portion <NUM> is in a direct line of sight to the interior <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the opening <NUM> is completely or substantially open and does not have a lens or other covering, whether transparent, translucent, or otherwise, arranged therein.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bezel <NUM> includes a decorative covering <NUM> such as a fabric or textile layer, leather, a synthetic leather, or the like and that includes the bezel wall surface <NUM>. The bezel <NUM> further includes a substrate <NUM> that is, for example, formed of a relatively rigid material such as a polymeric material, a plastic material, a composite material, or the like. As illustrated, the bezel <NUM> includes tabs <NUM> extending upwardly from the upper edge of the wall <NUM> to secure the bezel <NUM> to the interior panel section <NUM> as will be discussed in further detail below.

The lighting assembly <NUM> includes one or more light sources. In an exemplary embodiment, the light source(s) is disposed in the lighting tray <NUM>. As illustrated, the light source(s) is disposed between the backing structure <NUM> and the bezel <NUM> and is covered by the wall <NUM> so that the light source(s) is not exposed or in a direct line of sight to the interior <NUM>. In particular, the light source(s) is disposed adjacent to the bezel wall surface <NUM> between the wall outer edge portion <NUM> and the wall inner edge portion <NUM>. The bezel <NUM> has a flange <NUM> that is disposed between the wall outer edge portion <NUM> and the wall inner edge portion <NUM>. The flange <NUM> extends from the wall <NUM> towards the backing structure <NUM> to define a channel <NUM> between the flange <NUM> and a section of the wall <NUM> that includes the wall inner edge portion <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the light source(s) is disposed in the channel <NUM> recessed relative to (e.g., below) the wall inner edge portion <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the light source(s) is operative to produce light that passes from the light source(s) through the gap <NUM> onto the backing surface <NUM> and is reflected therefrom through the opening <NUM> to the interior <NUM> to provide indirect lighting to the interior <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the light source(s) is disposed on a circuit board and is a light-emitting diode(s) (LED(s)).

In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting tray <NUM> is disposed between the bezel <NUM> and the backing structure <NUM> and carries the light source(s), for example, a plurality of light sources which may be configured in an LED array or the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting tray <NUM> is disposed in the channel <NUM> recessed relative to (e.g., below) the wall inner edge portion <NUM>. As illustrated, the lighting tray <NUM> includes an lighting tray wall <NUM> and the light sources are disposed adjacent to the lighting tray wall <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting assembly <NUM> further includes one or more clips <NUM>. The clip(s) <NUM> is disposed between the interior panel <NUM> and the backing structure <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the tab(s) <NUM> from the bezel <NUM> extends to and is engaged or otherwise received by the clip(s) <NUM> to secure the bezel <NUM> to the interior panel section <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, advantageously this allows the bezel <NUM> and the lighting tray <NUM> to be easily disassembled from the interior panel <NUM> for maintenance of the light source <NUM> and/or the lighting assembly <NUM>. In an exemplary embodiment, the clip(s) <NUM> includes hole(s) <NUM> that receive, for example, the threaded fasteners <NUM> to secure the clip(s) <NUM> to the interior panel section <NUM>.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting assembly <NUM> further includes spacers <NUM> that are disposed between the interior panel <NUM> and the backing structure <NUM>, such as between the clip(s) <NUM> and the backing structure <NUM>. As illustrated, the spacers <NUM> have holes <NUM> that receive, for example, the threaded fasteners <NUM> to secure the spacers <NUM> to the interior panel section <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A lighting assembly (<NUM>) for an interior panel (<NUM>) of an aircraft (<NUM>) comprising a panel opening (<NUM>) formed therethrough, the lighting assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a backing structure (<NUM>) comprising a substrate (<NUM>) and a decorative covering (<NUM>) that overlayers the substrate (<NUM>) and that includes a first backing surface (<NUM>), wherein the first backing surface (<NUM>) of the backing structure (<NUM>) includes a concave surface (<NUM>), and wherein the backing structure (<NUM>) is configured such that the backing structure (<NUM>) extends over the panel opening (<NUM>) and the first backing surface (<NUM>) faces towards the interior (<NUM>) when the lighting assembly(<NUM>) is mounted in the aircraft (<NUM>);
a bezel (<NUM>) comprising a wall (<NUM>) that extends from a wall outer edge portion (<NUM>) to a wall inner edge portion (<NUM>), wherein the wall inner edge portion (<NUM>) is spaced apart from the first backing surface (<NUM>) to define a gap (<NUM>) and surrounds an opening (<NUM>) that is configured to expose at least a portion of the first backing surface (<NUM>) to the interior (<NUM>); and
a light source disposed between the backing structure (<NUM>) and the bezel (<NUM>) and covered by the wall (<NUM>), wherein the light source is operative to produce light that passes from the light source through the gap (<NUM>) onto the first backing surface (<NUM>) and is reflected therefrom through the opening (<NUM>) to the interior (<NUM>).