Covering component, interior component, motor vehicle, and method for manufacturing covering component

Abstract

The invention relates to a covering component (10) for a motor vehicle (70) interior, comprising a film (20) and a support (30) made of thermoplastic, the film having a relief structure (21), the support having a grid structure with grid strips (31), and the support being back-injected onto the back side (24) of the film, so that the grid strips are materially connected to the back side of the film. The invention also relates to an interior component (50) for a motor vehicle (70) interior, comprising such a covering component (10) and at least one lighting unit (51), which is arranged behind the back side (24) of the film (20), so that the lighting unit is configured to illuminate the film from the back side. The invention also relates to a motor vehicle (70) having such a covering component (10) or such an interior component (50). Finally, the invention relates to a method for producing a covering component (10) for a motor vehicle (70) interior.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a covering component for a motor vehicle interior. The present invention also relates to an interior component for a motor vehicle interior having such a covering component, and a motor vehicle having such a covering component or such an interior component. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for producing a covering component. Background Art

[0002] In motor vehicle interior design, there's a growing trend toward creating light effects within the interior. These can be displayed on corresponding interior surfaces (e.g., door panels or dashboards) or on covering components within the vehicle interior. This can be achieved, for example, by sunlight, ambient light (e.g., street lighting), and the like, which is reflected off the interior surfaces. To add special effects to the light show, the interior surfaces or covering components can be made with special materials (e.g., glossy materials) or with structures that refract light in a specific way. Furthermore, the interior surfaces can be illuminated by light from the vehicle interior (e.g., special light-emitting diodes or fluorescent tubes). Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a covering part and an interior trim part which can be produced in a simple manner, with high quality and at low cost and which enable a particularly effective light show to be achieved in the interior of a motor vehicle.

[0004] To this end, the present invention proposes a covering component for a motor vehicle interior, wherein the covering component has a film and the covering component has a bracket made of thermoplastic plastic, and the film has a relief structure, the bracket has a grid structure with grid bars and the bracket is back-injected onto the back side of the film, so that the grid bars are connected to the back side of the film in a material-locked manner, the grid bars surround grid holes, and the film has, in the area of ​​the grid holes, raised portions and / or recessed portions relative to the grid bars, which form the relief structure, the raised portions being convex relative to the grid bars or the bracket, and the recessed portions being concave relative to the grid bars or the bracket and correspondingly extending between the grid bars.

[0005] The present invention also proposes an interior component for a motor vehicle interior, which has a covering component according to the present invention and at least one light-emitting unit, wherein the at least one light-emitting unit is arranged behind the back side of the film, so that the at least one light-emitting unit is configured to transmit the film from the back side.

[0006] The present invention further provides a motor vehicle having a covering component according to the invention or an interior component according to the invention.

[0007] The present invention also provides a method for producing a covering component for a motor vehicle interior, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0008] (a) arranging the film between a first tool part having a relief structure and a second tool part having a grid structure and a nozzle fluidically connected to the grid structure,

[0009] (b) securing the membrane between the first tool part and the second tool part, and

[0010] (c) back-injecting the rear side of the film with thermoplastic material from the nozzle, thereby shaping the thermoplastic material into a carrier having the lattice structure, wherein the lattice structure has lattice bars and the carrier is back-injected onto the rear side of the film so that the lattice bars are materially connected to the rear side of the film to form the covering part,

[0011] In which, the grid bars surround the grid holes, and the membrane has protrusions and / or recesses relative to the grid bars in the area of ​​the grid holes, which form the relief structure, the protrusions being convex relative to the grid bars or the support, and the recesses being concave relative to the grid bars or the support and extending accordingly between the grid bars.

[0012] Further features and details of the invention can be found in the description and the drawings. Features and details described in conjunction with the covering component naturally also apply to the interior component according to the invention, the motor vehicle according to the invention, and the method according to the invention, and vice versa. Therefore, the disclosure of the various aspects of the invention is always mutually referenced or can always be referenced to one another.

[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a covering component for a motor vehicle interior, wherein the covering component has a film and the covering component has a bracket made of thermoplastic plastic, and the film has a relief structure, the bracket has a grid structure with grid bars and the bracket is back-injected on the back side of the film, so that the grid bars are connected to the back side of the film in a material-locked manner.

[0014] Thus, according to the present invention, a covering component is provided that can be manufactured simply, with high quality, and cost-effectively. Due to its relief structure, it can achieve a particularly effective light show in the interior of a motor vehicle. Furthermore, light can penetrate the film, thereby achieving a particularly effective light show. The light can come, for example, from daylight, from the environment (e.g., from street lighting), or from lighting units in the interior of the motor vehicle. It is possible to illuminate and transmit light through the film of the covering component from either the front or back side of the film using corresponding lighting units.

[0015] The back side of the film of the covering component is the mounting or assembly side, which is not visible in the interior of the vehicle. Conversely, the front side of the film of the covering component is the side visible on the vehicle interior. Accordingly, when viewed from the front, the relief structure is visible, while the bracket remains hidden. Thus, the front side is opposite the back side.

[0016] A motor vehicle interior refers to the interior equipment (innenausstattung) of a motor vehicle. This includes, for example, the doors, instrument panel, center console, roof, seats, and the like within the motor vehicle interior. Accordingly, covering components may be, for example, door coverings, instrument panel coverings, center console coverings, and the like. Covering components may be configured or formed, for example, as decorative strips.

[0017] Preferably, the grid bars surround the grid openings, wherein the membrane has elevations and / or depressions in the region of the grid openings, forming a relief structure relative to the grid bars. The elevations are convex relative to the grid bars or the support. The depressions are concave relative to the grid bars or the support and extend between the grid bars.

[0018] In particular, the grid bars are arranged relative to one another in such a way that they form the grid structure. The grid bars can, for example, be arranged parallel to one another and / or inclined, in particular at right angles. When the grid bars are arranged parallel to one another and inclined, rectangular grid holes are produced. Accordingly, the elevations and / or recesses of the membrane have a rectangular base. Alternatively, the grid bars can be slightly rounded. Thus, for example, slightly rounded, in particular circular or elliptical grid holes can be formed in the grid structure. Accordingly, the elevations and / or recesses in the membrane have a slightly rounded base. For example, it is also possible to construct the grid bars in such a way that a honeycomb-shaped grid structure is produced. Accordingly, the elevations and / or recesses have a honeycomb-shaped base. This allows different grid structures to be realized, which can be selected depending on the strength requirements of the covering part and the desired appearance of the relief structure.

[0019] Furthermore, it is preferred that the film is light-transmissive. Designed as a light-transmissive film, it is transparent to light, particularly light illuminating the back side of the film, to achieve particularly effective light effects on the relief structure. To enhance the light-transmitting effect of the film, the film can be transparent and / or naturally hazy. A film is transparent if it can be seen through when illuminated. A film is naturally hazy if no color particles are added during its manufacture and the film therefore has the natural color tone of the material from which it is made, for example, polypropylene.

[0020] It is also preferred that the film has a thickness in the range of 0.3 mm to 3 mm. It is particularly preferred that the film has a thickness in the range of 0.4 mm to 2 mm, and more particularly in the range of 0.6 mm to 1.4 mm. This provides a stable film that is resistant to external mechanical influences, lightweight, and highly light-transmissive.

[0021] Furthermore, it is preferred that the film be made of a thermoplastic, in particular polypropylene. Accordingly, the film can be constructed cost-effectively. Alternatively, it is possible to manufacture the film from other thermoplastics than polypropylene or from other materials, for example metals (such as aluminum), composite materials, synthetic materials, natural materials (such as leather), or the like.

[0022] Furthermore, the bracket preferably has at least one fixing means integrally formed therewith for fixing to a receiving means of a component of the motor vehicle interior corresponding to the fixing means, in particular a clamp. This further reduces the costs of manufacturing the covering part and enables simple fixing to the component of the interior.

[0023] Finally, it is preferred that the front side of the membrane be coated with an upper layer material. In particular, this upper layer material can be bonded to the front side of the membrane using an adhesive. This allows the appearance of the front side of the covering component to be varied. Accordingly, the covering component can be manufactured from one membrane material and subsequently coated with different upper layer materials for different interiors. This allows for the cost-effective production of covering components with a high degree of freedom in terms of their optical appearance and haptics. Furthermore, the membrane can be made of easily processable and / or cost-effective materials, while only the upper layer, which determines the appearance and haptics, can be made of relatively expensive materials or raw materials. For example, the upper layer can be made of metals (such as aluminum), composite materials (such as carbon), synthetic materials, natural materials (such as leather), or the like.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by an interior component for a motor vehicle interior, which has a covering component according to the present invention and at least one light-emitting unit, wherein the at least one light-emitting unit is arranged behind the back side of the film so that the at least one light-emitting unit is configured to transmit the film from the back side.

[0025] The interior component according to the second aspect of the present invention exhibits all the advantages already described for the covering component according to the first aspect of the present invention. A particularly effective light show can be provided by illuminating the film from its rear side toward the front side and transmitting light. This enables optically particularly pronounced light refraction in the film's relief structure.

[0026] The at least one lighting unit can be configured, for example, as a light-emitting diode, a fluorescent tube, a gas discharge lamp, an incandescent lamp, or the like. In particular, the lighting unit can be configured such that the color and / or intensity of the light emitted by the lighting unit can be adjusted. For example, a lighting unit can be provided in each region of each grid aperture, or in each elevation or recess.

[0027] The interior trim component may be, for example, the inside of a door, the dashboard, the center console or the like.

[0028] According to a third aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a motor vehicle having a covering component according to the invention or an interior component according to the invention.

[0029] The motor vehicle according to the third aspect of the invention produces all the advantages already described for the covering part according to the first aspect of the invention or for the interior trim part according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0030] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a method for producing a covering part for a motor vehicle interior, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) arranging a film between a first tool part and a second tool part, the first tool part having a relief structure, the second tool part having a grid structure and a nozzle fluidically connected to the grid structure, (b) clamping the film between the first tool part and the second tool part, and (c) back-injecting the back side of the film with thermoplastic material from the nozzle, thereby forming the thermoplastic material into a support with the grid structure, wherein the grid structure has grid bars and the support is back-injected onto the back side of the film in such a way that the grid bars are materially connected to the back side of the film and the film and the support form the covering part.

[0031] The method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention yields all the advantages already described for the cover element according to the first aspect of the present invention. Back-molding allows the film to be easily and cost-effectively incorporated into the corresponding relief structure. The support can also be attached to the film in a particularly simple manner. No additional adhesive or the like is required to connect the support and film. In particular, the film can also be materially connected to the lattice structure solely by means of the thermoplastic material of the back-molded lattice structure.

[0032] To this end, the film can be preheated before being placed, clamped, and / or back-molded. This can result in lower manufacturing costs. Alternatively, the film can be preheated before being placed, clamped, and / or back-molded to improve its deformability.

[0033] The relief structure of the first tool part is the first tool surface. The second tool part can be formed with a second tool surface corresponding to this relief structure or tool surface. The relief structure of the film is then produced by pressing the second tool surface onto the first tool surface, with a flat or planar film arranged between the first and second tool parts. Alternatively, it is possible to arrange a film at least partially or completely preformed with a relief structure between the tool parts, which is then no longer shaped by the tool parts or is only partially further shaped. The grid structure can be formed by channels for thermoplastic material corresponding to the structure behind the second tool surface. The thermoplastic material flows through these channels during back injection molding and hardens in these channels to produce the grid structure.

[0034] In a further step, the front side of the membrane can be coated with a top layer material. In particular, the top layer material can be adhered to the front side of the membrane using an adhesive. For this purpose, the top layer material can be preformed to correspond to the relief structure of the membrane before being adhered to the front side of the membrane. It is also possible to apply the top layer material to the membrane while the membrane is being back-molded with the thermoplastic material of the support. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] An embodiment of a covering component according to the invention, an embodiment of an interior component according to the invention, an embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention, and an embodiment of a method according to the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each case, the following are schematically shown:

[0036] Figure 1 The back side of a first embodiment of a cover part according to the invention is shown in a perspective side view,

[0037] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The part of the covering part,

[0038] Figure 3A partially cutaway perspective side view showing a Figure 1 The front side of the interior part of the covering part,

[0039] Figure 4 A section view shows a portion of a second embodiment of a covering member according to the present invention,

[0040] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of a motor vehicle according to the invention is shown in a side view,

[0041] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a method for producing a Figure 1 The first step in the method of covering a component,

[0042] Figure 7 Shown in cross-section Figure 6 in the second step of the method according to the invention,

[0043] Figure 8 Shown in cross-section Figure 6 the third step of the method according to the invention, and

[0044] Figure 9 Shown in cross-section Figure 6 The fourth step of the method according to the invention.

[0045] exist Figures 1 to 9 In the drawings, elements having the same function and the same mode of operation are respectively provided with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Figure 1 The rear side of a first exemplary embodiment of a cover element 10 according to the invention is shown in a perspective side view. The cover element 10 according to the invention comprises a film 20 and a support 30. The film 20 is connected with its rear side 24 to the support 30 in a materially bonded manner.

[0047] In this first embodiment, film 20 is made of a light-transmitting, naturally turbid plastic film, specifically polypropylene. In this first embodiment, the thickness of film 20 is constant across its entire surface. Furthermore, in this first embodiment, film 20 is approximately 1 mm thick. In this first embodiment, bracket 30 is also made of polypropylene and is black.

[0048] The support 30 has a plurality of grid bars 31, of which grid bars 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, 31.4 are indicated by way of example. Grid holes 32 are formed between the grid bars 31, at each of which the support 30 has no material. Here, only the grid holes 32 surrounded by the grid bars 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, 31.4 are indicated by way of example. The membrane 20 is raised relative to the grid bars 31 in the region of the grid holes 32 or between the grid bars 31 surrounding the grid holes. In other words, the membrane 20 is convex between the grid bars 31. Thus, as shown in the front side 23 of the membrane 20, Figure 3 As can be seen in FIG, a relief structure 21 with a plurality of ridges 21a is produced on the film 20. However, since the support 30 is back-molded on the back side 24 of the film 20, the film 20 lies flat on the grid bars 31 and is connected to the grid bars 31 in a material-locking manner. Figures 6 to 9 An exemplary embodiment of producing the cover part 10 by means of back injection molding is explained in detail.

[0049] The support 30 has a frame 33 which delimits or encloses the support 30, and the grid bars 31 are arranged on the frame. In the present case, the grid bars 31 are arranged obliquely relative to the frame. Moreover, the grid bars 31 are arranged obliquely, in particular at right angles, to one another, so that a rhombus-shaped grid structure is produced along the covering part 10. Moreover, the grid bars 31 are arranged parallel to one another. In addition, a plurality of grid bars 31 are arranged at right angles to the long sides of the rectangularly formed frame 33. This achieves increased strength and a more uneven and therefore more attractive relief structure 21 of the membrane 20. In addition, these grid bars 31 arranged at right angles to the long sides of the frame have different distances from one another and thus form regions of different sizes with protrusions 21a.

[0050] At each longitudinal end of the cover element 10, or at each short side of the frame 33, one of two fixing means 34.1, 34.2 is located on the bracket 30. The fixing means 34.1, 34.2 are designed as clamps. They are used to secure the cover element 10 to corresponding receiving means (not shown) of a component (not shown) in the interior of the motor vehicle 70. The frame 33, the grid bars 31, and the fixing means 34 are manufactured integrally or in a single piece. The frame 33 and / or the grid bars 31 may have additional or different fixing means 34, such as clamps, welded ribs, screw domes, etc.

[0051] Figure 2 Show Figure 1Detail of the cover element in FIG. Two grid holes 32.1 and 32.2 are indicated here, each surrounded by a grid bar 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, 31.4, 31.5 indicated. As can be seen, the membrane 20 is arched into the drawing in the region of the grid holes 32.1 and 32.2. Here, the membrane 20 is also configured as a raised portion 22a.1 and 22a.2 relative to the grid bars 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, 31.4, 31.5 surrounding the raised portion. Alternatively, it is possible to configure the membrane 20 so as to arch outward from the drawing in the region of the grid holes 32.1 and 32.2. Thus, instead of the raised portions 22a.1 and 22a.2, recesses are configured relative to the grid bars 31.1, 31.2, 31.3, 31.4, 31.5.

[0052] Figure 3 A partially cutaway perspective side view showing a Figure 1 10 in FIG. 1 . The front side of the interior part 50 of the cover part 10 in FIG. 1 . In this view, the relief structure 21 with the ridges 22 a on the front side 23 of the membrane 20 can be better seen.

[0053] The interior component 50 is cut away to the right of the relief structure 21, or to the right of the cover component 10, and shows a view from behind the film 20 and the support 30. Two lighting units 51.1, 51.2 are arranged behind the cover component 10. In the present embodiment, the lighting units 51.1, 51.2 are designed, for example, as fluorescent tubes. The lighting units 51.1, 51.2 are arranged so that they illuminate the back side 24 of the film 20. The lighting units 51.1, 51.2 can be attached, for example, to the support 30 or to another component of the interior component 50.

[0054] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view shows a detail of a second embodiment of a cover element 10 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, only a detail of the membrane 20 is shown, along with two grid bars 31.1 and 31.2 of the support 30. Unlike the first embodiment, the membrane 20 has recesses 22b in the grid openings 32. These recesses 22b extend between the grid bars 31.1 and 31.2. Furthermore, the front side 23 of the membrane 20 is coated with a top layer material 40. The top layer material 40 is bonded to the front side 23 of the membrane 20 using an adhesive 41.

[0055] Figure 5 The motor vehicle 70 can, for example, have a covering component 10 according to a second embodiment (not shown in this figure), which can be designed as a door panel or dashboard panel, for example.

[0056] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a method for producing a Figure 1The first step of the method for covering a component 10 in a mold is to place an unformed or flat film 20 between a first mold part 61 and a second mold part 62 of an injection molding tool 60. The first mold part 61 has a relief structure 21 of the film 20 as a first mold surface. The second mold part 62 has a second mold surface corresponding to the relief structure 21 in order to produce the relief structure 21. To this end, one of the two mold surfaces (herein, the first mold surface, but alternatively the second mold surface) has recesses, and the other of the two mold surfaces (herein, the second mold surface, but alternatively the first mold surface) has projections corresponding to the recesses. When the two mold parts 61, 62 are brought together, the recesses and projections engage with each other to press or form the film 20 with the relief structure 21. Furthermore, the second mold part 62 has a lattice structure for the support 30 and a structure for the frame 33 of the support 30. The second mold part 62, or the lattice structure and the structure for the frame 33, are fluidically connected to a nozzle 63. Thus, a lattice structure can be produced by means of thermoplastic material which is back-injected from the nozzle 63 onto the back side 24 of the film 20 .

[0057] Figure 7 Shown in cross-section Figure 6 , the second step of the method according to the invention. In this second step, by bringing the tool parts 61, 62 together, the film 20 is fixed on its periphery between the tool parts 61, 62 and the relief structure 21 is formed. The film 20 is now ready for back injection molding with the thermoplastic material of the support 30.

[0058] Figure 8 Shown in cross-section Figure 6 3 . In this third step, the back side 24 of the film 20 is back-molded with the thermoplastic material of the support 30 . To this end, the heated thermoplastic material is supplied to the nozzle 63 and pressed under high pressure against the back side 24 of the film 20 within the lattice structure. The thermoplastic material of the support 30 is thereby formed into the lattice structure and, together with the frame 33 , into the second tool part 62 , securing the film 20 at material-locking connection points in the relief structure 21 of the film.

[0059] Figure 9 Shown in cross-section Figure 64 step of the method according to the invention. In this fourth step, the thermoplastic material of the support 30 has hardened, and the cover part 10 produced in this manner has been removed from the mold parts 61, 62. It can be seen here that the support 30 of the cover part 10 still has an excess area, which corresponds in shape to the channel in the second mold part 62 through which the thermoplastic material flows from the nozzle 63 to the grid structure of the second mold part 62. This excess area can be easily separated from the support 30.

[0060] Reference Signs List

[0061] 10 Covering parts

[0062] 20 films

[0063] 21 relief structure

[0064] 22a raised part

[0065] 22b concave part

[0066] 23 front side

[0067] 24 dorsal

[0068] 30 brackets

[0069] 31 grid bars

[0070] 32 grid holes

[0071] 33 grid frame

[0072] 34Fixing devices

[0073] 40 upper material

[0074] 41 adhesives

[0075] 50 interior parts

[0076] 51 light-emitting units

[0077] 60 die casting tools

[0078] 61 first tool component

[0079] 62 second tool component

[0080] 63 nozzles

[0081] 70 motor vehicles

Claims

1. A covering component (10) for the interior of a motor vehicle (70), wherein: The covering part (10) has a film (20) and the covering part (10) has a support (30) made of thermoplastic plastic, and the film (20) has a relief structure (21), the support (30) has a grid structure with grid bars (31) and the support (30) is back-injected onto the back side (24) of the film (20) so that the grid bars (31) are connected to the back side (24) of the film (20) in a material-locked manner, the grid bars (31) surround the grid holes (32), and the film (20) has, in the area of ​​the grid holes (32), raised portions (22a) and / or recessed portions (22b) forming the relief structure (21) relative to the grid bars (31), the raised portions being convex relative to the grid bars or the support, and the recessed portions being concave relative to the grid bars or the support and correspondingly extending between the grid bars.

2. The covering component (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that The film (20) is light-transmissive.

3. The covering component (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The film (20) has a thickness in the range of 0.3 mm to 3 mm.

4. The covering component (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The film (20) is made of thermoplastic.

5. The covering component (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The membrane (20) is made of polypropylene.

6. The covering component (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The bracket (30) has at least one fixing device (34) formed integrally with the bracket (30) for fixing to a receiving device corresponding to the fixing device (34) of a component of the interior of the motor vehicle (70).

7. The covering component (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that The fixing device is a clamp.

8. The covering component (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The front side (23) of the membrane (20) is coated with an upper layer material (40).

9. An interior component (50) for an interior of a motor vehicle (70), comprising a covering component (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 and at least one lighting unit (51), wherein: The at least one light emitting unit (51) is arranged behind the back side (24) of the film (20), so that the at least one light emitting unit (51) is configured to transmit the film (20) from the back side (24).

10. A motor vehicle (70) comprising a covering component (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 or an interior component (50) according to claim 9.

11. A method for producing a covering component (10) for an interior of a motor vehicle (70), wherein: The method comprises the following steps: (a) arranging the film (20) between a first tool part (61) having a relief structure and a second tool part (62) having a grid structure and a nozzle (63) fluidically connected to the grid structure, (b) securing the membrane (20) between the first tool part (61) and the second tool part (62), and (c) back-injecting the back side (24) of the film (20) with thermoplastic material from the nozzle (63) to form the thermoplastic material into a support (30) having the lattice structure, wherein the lattice structure has lattice bars (31) and the support (30) is back-injected onto the back side (24) of the film (20) so that the lattice bars (31) are connected to the back side (24) of the film (20) in a material-locking manner to form the covering part (10), The grid bars (31) surround the grid holes (32), and the membrane (20) has, in the region of the grid holes (32), raised portions (22a) and / or recessed portions (22b) relative to the grid bars (31) that form the relief structure (21), the raised portions being convex relative to the grid bars or the support, and the recessed portions being concave relative to the grid bars or the support and correspondingly extending between the grid bars.

Images