Translucent Wall Element and Motor Vehicle Comprising Such an Element

Abstract

A translucent wall element comprising a first plate-like member ( 1 ) of a transparent material and a second plate-like member ( 2 ) of a translucent material positioned at the outer side of said first plate-like member ( 1 ) substantially parallel to said first plate-like member. Means for coupling light into said first plate-like member are present. The surface ( 7 ) of said first plate-like member ( 1 ) is provided with spots of light-distribution means ( 8 ) at the side facing the second plate-like member ( 2 ). The light-distribution means ( 8 ) direct light radiation towards the other side of said first plate-like member ( 1 ).

1 . A translucent wall element comprising a first plate-like member ( 1 ) of a transparent material and being arranged substantially parallel to a second plate-like member ( 2 ) of a translucent material, which second plate-like member faces the first plate-like member at a first side ( 20 ) of said first plate-like member, characterized by means for coupling light into said first plate-like member, a surface of the first side of said first plate-like member being provided with spots of light-distribution means ( 8 ), which light-distribution means direct light radiation towards a second side ( 21 ) opposite the first side of said first plate-like member and across said first plate-like member. 
   
   
       2 . A translucent wall element as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said second plate-like member is made of glass which is provided with light-transmission reducing means. 
   
   
       3 . A translucent wall element as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said light-distribution means comprise spots of reflecting material on the surface of the first plate-like member. 
   
   
       4 . A translucent wall element as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said light-distribution means comprise rugged spots on the surface of the first plate-like member. 
   
   
       5 . A translucent wall element as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that said light-distribution means comprise recesses, each having an inner surface which is inclined with respect to the surface ( 7 ) of the first plate-like member. 
   
   
       6 . A translucent wall element as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the light-distribution means at the surface of the first plate-like member are covered with second spots of a material which is opaque to visible light. 
   
   
       7 . A translucent wall element as claimed in  claim 6 , characterized in that the material of said second spots is reflective at its surface abutting the first side of the first plate-like member, said material of said spot being preferably a metal, more preferably aluminum. 
   
   
       8 . A translucent wall element as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that a layer of a cladding material, having a lower index of refraction than the index of refraction of the material of the first and the second plate-like member, is present between said first plate-like member and said second plate-like member. 
   
   
       9 . A translucent wall element as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that a third translucent plate-like member is provided at the second side of said first plate-like member and is arranged substantially parallel to said first plate-like member. 
   
   
       10 . A car roof canopy characterized in that it comprises a translucent wall element as claimed in  claim 1 . 
   
   
       11 . A motor vehicle having a passenger compartment, characterized in that the roof of the passenger compartment is provided with a translucent wall element as claimed in  claim 1 .