Vehicle panel that emits a three-dimensional gradient pattern

Abstract

The present application relates to a vehicle panel that emits light in a three-dimensional gradient pattern, the vehicle panel comprising: a panel body and an illumination portion, the panel body comprising a three-dimensional pattern portion and a coating portion, the three-dimensional pattern portion comprising a three-dimensional pattern engraved on a rear surface of the three-dimensional pattern portion, the coating portion coated on an upper surface of the three-dimensional pattern portion, the illumination portion disposed such that light is emitted from an inner surface of the panel body, wherein the illumination portion comprises: a diffusion plate disposed to be spaced apart at a position corresponding to the panel body, and a light source located inside the diffusion plate and disposed to be spaced apart from the diffusion plate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a vehicle panel that emits light in a three-dimensional gradient pattern. BACKGROUND

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present application and can not constitute prior art.

[0003] In recent years, interior mood lighting in vehicles has been generally applied to high-quality products. In general, linear lighting has been widely used worldwide, and in order to apply the above linear lighting, a light emitting object of a linear structure, such as a light guide or a light string, has been studied. In recent years, European industries have mass-produced planar lighting decoration components using a film, and when a film for a main production of an in-mold label (IML) or an in-mold decoration (IMD) method, a selective masking structure is formed, and a design pattern of a light transmission / shading effect is achieved by changing the number of printed colors between film layers. However, since the IML film is relatively expensive compared to spraying due to a surface treatment process, planar light emitting lighting components to which spraying and laser cutting are applied are currently mass-produced. However, in this case, since laser processing is performed on the surface, luxury is reduced due to surface height differences, and if post-surface spraying and laser cutting are performed, the surface should be turned over and continued, which reduces mass production rates due to the inability to handle defect rates.

[0004] Meanwhile, design trends aim to construct a unique identity using light. According to this trend, components that are currently mass-produced are mostly limited to two-dimensional products having a straight line shape or a planar shape. It can be open or concealed, and is simply designed only according to whether light is irradiated to a pattern portion.

[0005] In addition, in recent years, interior lighting is considered as a design language of general vehicle brands and luxury vehicle brands, and thus lighting components are mass-produced. As the market for electric vehicles is rapidly growing, how to show a difference from a conventional internal combustion engine interior is becoming a problem that designers all over the world are concerned about, and most designers are trying to find a solution from lighting components.

[0006] Accordingly, vehicle panels that go beyond the limits of conventional simple linear lighting are being developed, but even in vehicle panels including a three-dimensional pattern, visibility is still low or a three-dimensional effect is still poor.

[0007] The above information disclosed in this BACKGROUND section is only for the purpose of providing background information related to the present application, and can include information that does not constitute prior art that is already known in the art. SUMMARY

[0008] A vehicle panel is provided, the vehicle panel comprising a panel body comprising an engraved three-dimensional pattern, and a lighting portion comprising a diffuser plate and a light source, the diffuser plate being disposed such that light is emitted from an inner surface of the panel body to provide a maximum light emitting area, the light source being disposed apart from an inner side of the diffuser plate to provide a three-dimensional effect and to reduce loss of light.

[0009] A vehicle panel according to one form of the present application comprises: a panel body comprising a three-dimensional pattern portion having a three-dimensional pattern engraved on a rear surface thereof, and a coating portion coated on an upper surface of the three-dimensional pattern portion, and a lighting portion disposed such that light is emitted from an inner surface of the panel body, wherein the lighting portion comprises: a diffuser plate disposed apart at a position corresponding to the panel body, and a light source located on an inner side of the diffuser plate and disposed apart from the diffuser plate.

[0010] The three-dimensional pattern can be engraved at a depth of 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0011] The three-dimensional pattern can have one or more shapes selected from the group consisting of a cuboid shape, a trapezoidal shape, a rhombic shape, a hemispherical shape, and combinations thereof.

[0012] The three-dimensional pattern portion can comprise one or more types selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate (PC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate / polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PC / PETG) composite, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer, PC / ABS composite, and combinations thereof.

[0013] The polycarbonate (PC) can be selected from the group consisting of transparent polycarbonate, opaque polycarbonate, and combinations thereof.

[0014] The opaque polycarbonate can comprise: 99.991 wt% to 99.997 wt% of polycarbonate and 0.003 wt% to 0.009 wt% of a carbon black-containing pigment.

[0015] The coating portion can comprise: one or more types of paint selected from the group consisting of colorless paint, colored paint, and combinations thereof, and a pigment.

[0016] The coating portion can comprise: 95 wt% to 99.5 wt% of paint and 0.5 wt% to 5 wt% of pigment.

[0017] The thickness of the coating portion can be 2 μm to 22 μm.

[0018] The diffuser plate can comprise: a diffusing agent comprising one or more types selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide (SiO2), silicone rubber, titanium dioxide (TiO2), and PMMA.

[0019] The content of the diffusing agent is 0.5 to 2% by weight based on 100% by weight of the entire diffusing plate.

[0020] The interval distance between the light source and the diffusing plate can be 10 to 15 mm.

[0021] The interval distance between the diffusing plate and the three-dimensional pattern portion can be 2 to 4 mm.

[0022] The diffusing plate can have a thickness that increases from the center portion toward the outer portion.

[0023] The diffusing plate can have a thickness of 1.5 to 3.8 mm.

[0024] The illumination portion can further include a diffusing film on the upper surface of the diffusing plate.

[0025] The diffusing film can include one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate (PC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0026] The light-emitting three-dimensional pattern can have a luminance of 0.5 cd / m 2 to 6 cd / m 2 , a light transmittance of 1 to 30%, and a lightness (L*) of 2 to 40.

[0027] The contrast of the light-emitting three-dimensional pattern can be adjusted by adjusting the lightness (L*).

[0028] The vehicle panel can include one or more types selected from the group consisting of an embedded component trim, a bumper trim, a rear trim, a tailgate trim, a front trim, a side trim, a gasket trim, a fender trim, a side step trim, a front door trim, a front and rear trim, a bumper trim, a door rocker panel, a logo, and combinations thereof.

[0029] The vehicle panel according to the present application includes a three-dimensional pattern portion including an engraved three-dimensional pattern on a panel body, thereby saving the cost required for laser cutting, making up for the low luxury of a conventional panel and low mass productivity due to a high defect rate. In addition, since a light source is irradiated from the inside, not a conventional method of irradiating light to a side surface, light source loss is reduced, and a diffusing plate is used to maximize the light-emitting area. By providing a light source at a specific distance apart from the diffusing plate on the inside of the diffusing plate, the three-dimensional effect and the gradation effect of the light-emitting three-dimensional pattern are improved, thereby improving the aesthetic and luxury.

[0030] The effects of the present application are not limited to the above-mentioned effects. The effects of the present application should be understood to include all effects that can be deduced from the following description.

[0031] It should be understood that the term "automotive" or "vehicular" or other similar terms as used herein generally include motor vehicles such as passenger cars (including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles), watercraft (including various boats and ships), aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel vehicles (e.g., fuels derived from non-petroleum sources). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more sources of power, such as a vehicle having both gasoline power and electric power.

[0032] Other areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0033] In order that the application can be better understood, various forms thereof will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0034] Figure 1 to schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of a vehicle panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 2 to schematically illustrate a cross-sectional view of a panel body of a vehicle panel according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 3 to show a schematic view for confirming whether or not the vehicle panels according to Embodiments 1-1-1 to 1-1-3 and the vehicle panels according to Comparative Embodiments 1-1-1 to 1-1-4, Comparative Embodiments 2-1-1 to 2-1-7, Comparative Embodiments 3-1-1 to 3-1-7, and Comparative Embodiments 4-1-1 to 4-1-7 according to the present application can recognize a three-dimensional pattern in an image in daytime;

[0037] Figure 4 to show a graph for measuring luminance of a luminescent three-dimensional pattern of the vehicle panels according to Embodiments 1-1-1 to 1-2-3 and Comparative Embodiments 1-1-1 to 1-2-4;

[0038] Figure 5 to show a graph for measuring luminance of a luminescent three-dimensional pattern of the vehicle panels according to Comparative Embodiments 2-1-1 to 2-1-7 and Comparative Embodiments 2-2-1 to 2-2-7;

[0039] Figure 6FIGS. 1-1-1 to 1-2-3, and comparative examples 2-1-1 to 2-2-7, comparative examples 3-1-1 to 3-2-7, and comparative examples 4-1-1 to 4-2-7.

[0040] Figure 7 FIGS. 1-1-1 to 1-2-3, and comparative examples 2-1-1 to 2-2-7, comparative examples 3-1-1 to 3-2-7, and comparative examples 4-1-1 to 4-2-7.

[0041] Figure 8 FIGS. 1-1-1 to 1-2-3, and comparative examples 2-1-1 to 2-2-7, comparative examples 3-1-1 to 3-2-7, and comparative examples 4-1-1 to 4-2-7.

[0042] The accompanying drawings described herein are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present application, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. In the drawings, the size of structures can be shown exaggerated in order to illustrate the present application more clearly.

[0044] In this specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, the term "comprising" is understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer, step, or group of integers, steps, components, or combinations thereof, but not to the exclusion of the presence or addition of one or more other integers, steps, components, or combinations thereof. Also, when a portion (e.g., a layer, film, region, or plate) is referred to as being "on" another portion, it can be directly on the other portion, or intervening portions can also be present. In contrast, when a portion (e.g., a layer, film, region, or plate) is referred to as being "under" another portion, it can be directly under the other portion, or intervening portions can also be present.

[0045] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers, numerical expressions, and / or expressions of amounts, percentages, and the like contained herein are understood to be modified by the term "about" in all instances, as these numbers, numerical expressions, and / or expressions of amounts, percentages, and the like are intended to encompass a range of values that are reasonably expected to be equivalent to the recited value(s) in light of the various measurement uncertainties inherent in the art. Further, if a range of values is disclosed, unless otherwise stated, the range is a continuous range including each and every value and / or sub-range between the minimum value stated and the maximum value stated, inclusive of the minimum and maximum values. Further, if such a range of values involves integers, unless otherwise stated, the range includes each and every integer between the minimum value and the maximum value, inclusive of the minimum and maximum values.

[0046] In this specification, when a range of values is described, it is understood that the variable includes all values within the range, including the endpoints of the range. For example, it is understood that the range of "5 to 10" includes not only the values of 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, but also any sub-range (e.g., 6 to 10, 7 to 10, 6 to 9, and 7 to 9), and any value between the reasonable integers within the range (e.g., 5.5, 6.5, 7.5, 5.5 to 8.5, 6.5 to 9, etc.). Further, it is understood that the range of "10% to 30%" includes, for example, not only all integers (including values such as 10%, 11%, 12%, 13%, and 30%), but also any sub-range (e.g., 10% to 15%, 12% to 18%, and 20% to 30%), and any value between the reasonable integers within the range (e.g., 10.5%, 15.5%, and 25.5%).

[0047] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a vehicle panel 1 according to one form of the present application is shown schematically. Referring to Figure 1 , the vehicle panel 1 includes a panel body 10 exposed in an appearance and a lighting portion 20 positioned such that light is emitted from an inner surface of the panel body.

[0048] Each component included in the vehicle panel will be described in detail below.

[0049] Panel Body

[0050] The panel body according to one form of the present application is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of concealing the three-dimensional pattern during the day such that the three-dimensional pattern is difficult to visually recognize, but when the light source is turned on at night, the light-emitting three-dimensional pattern can be visually recognized and the expressiveness of the edge portion of the three-dimensional pattern can be improved.

[0051] (1) Three-Dimensional Pattern Portion

[0052] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the panel body 10 of a vehicle panel 1 according to one form of the present application is shown schematically. Referring toFigure 2 The vehicle panel 1 comprises a three-dimensional pattern portion 11 having a three-dimensional pattern engraved on a rear surface thereof and a coating portion 12 provided on an upper surface of the three-dimensional pattern portion.

[0053] The three-dimensional pattern portion 11 according to one form of the present application can have a variety of three-dimensional patterns engraved on a rear surface thereof, and is not particularly limited as long as it can have good concealing properties when light of a light source is not irradiated, and can improve the expressiveness of a three-dimensional effect when light of a light source is irradiated.

[0054] The shape of the three-dimensional pattern according to the present application is not particularly limited as long as it has good expressiveness of an edge portion of the three-dimensional pattern, and has a three-dimensional appearance that exhibits a sense of beauty and luxury. Preferably, the three-dimensional pattern portion 11 comprises a plurality of unit portions that are vertically or obliquely recessed from a rear surface of the three-dimensional pattern portion toward an upper surface thereof, and the unit portion 13 can include a side surface 131 that is vertically or obliquely recessed and a bottom surface 132 having a predetermined shape divided by the side surface. The side surface of the unit portion can be vertically or obliquely recessed, but can include a side surface having a constant, increasing or decreasing radius of curvature and a bottom surface having a predetermined shape divided by the side surface. Thus, the shape of the bottom surface includes one selected from a square, a rhombus, a hemisphere, a circle, an ellipse, and combinations thereof, and preferably, the shape of the three-dimensional pattern can include a cuboid shape having the same rectangular engraved area from the rear surface toward the upper surface, a trapezoidal shape having a decreasing or increasing rectangular engraved area from the rear surface toward the upper surface, a rhombic shape having a decreasing or increasing rhombic engraved area from the rear surface toward the upper surface, and a hemispherical shape having a decreasing circular engraved area from the rear surface toward the upper surface.

[0055] The base material of the three-dimensional pattern portion 11 according to the present application is not particularly limited as long as it can have a light-transmitting property to transmit light. Preferably, the base material of the three-dimensional pattern portion 11 can be a plastic that can transmit light and has good impact resistance, and more preferably, it can comprise one or more types selected from polycarbonate (PC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate / polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PC / PETG) composite, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer, PC / ABS composite, and combinations thereof, and more preferably, it can be polycarbonate (PC) that is excellent in light-transmitting property, has good impact resistance, and can be effectively engraved.

[0056] The three-dimensional pattern portion 11 according to one form of the present application can be a transparent three-dimensional pattern portion having a transparent material including a base material, or an opaque three-dimensional pattern portion to which a pigment and a diffusing agent are added to the base material to improve the three-dimensional effect of the shape of each three-dimensional pattern. For example, the three-dimensional pattern portion including polycarbonate can be a three-dimensional pattern portion including polycarbonate, or a three-dimensional pattern portion including opaque polycarbonate to which a pigment and a diffusing agent are added. Preferably, the three-dimensional pattern portion 11 can be a three-dimensional pattern portion including opaque polycarbonate, which can provide a three-dimensional texture and luminous brightness, and has good expressiveness of a pattern edge portion without reducing the concealing power, thereby improving the three-dimensional effect.

[0057] The opaque polycarbonate included in the three-dimensional pattern portion can be added with a diffusing agent, a pigment, or the like, but preferably, only a pigment is added without a diffusing agent, thereby suppressing a reduction in the three-dimensional effect and suppressing a reduction in luminous brightness and haze due to a diffusing effect. The pigment is not particularly limited as long as it can provide concealing power and improve the three-dimensional effect, and for example, it can be silica, titanium dioxide, an azo compound, a phthalocyanine compound, or preferably a carbon black-based pigment. As the carbon black content increases, the paint of the coating portion described below can be omitted. Accordingly, the opaque polycarbonate according to the present application can be 99.991 to 99.997% by weight of polycarbonate and 0.003 to 0.009% by weight of a carbon black-containing pigment, and the amount of the carbon black-containing pigment can be flexibly adjusted depending on the amount of the pigment added to the coating portion described below. When the weight percentage of polycarbonate is less than 99.991% by weight, the light transmittance is reduced; when light is irradiated by a light source, there is a problem that the pattern edge line is projected and artificial discordance is increased; and when the weight percentage of polycarbonate exceeds 99.997% by weight, the concealing property can be reduced, or the three-dimensional effect of the front angle can be reduced. In addition, when the weight percentage of the carbon black-containing pigment is less than 0.003% by weight, even if no light passes through, the internal structure within the three-dimensional pattern portion can be projected; and when the weight percentage of the carbon black-containing pigment exceeds 0.009% by weight, the lighting effect can be reduced, thereby reducing the three-dimensional effect.

[0058] The engraving depth of the three-dimensional pattern according to the present application is not particularly limited as long as it has good impact resistance and does not lack the three-dimensional effect of the design pattern, and depending on the base material and the three-dimensional shape, the engraving depth can be changed accordingly in consideration of the three-dimensional effect and the impact resistance. For example, the engraving depth of the three-dimensional pattern of the three-dimensional pattern portion including polycarbonate can be 0.2 to 1.5 mm. When the engraving depth is less than 0.2 mm, the three-dimensional effect can be lacking, and when the engraving depth exceeds 1.5 mm, the impact property of the vehicle panel can be reduced.

[0059] The thickness of the three-dimensional pattern portion according to the present application (the entire thickness of the substrate, not the depth of the pattern portion) is not particularly limited, as long as it has good impact resistance and maintains the three-dimensional effect. Preferably, the thickness of the three-dimensional pattern portion can be 1.5 mm to 3 mm. When the thickness of the three-dimensional pattern portion is less than 1.5 mm, in the case of a large-area assembly (for example, a decoration), the flow properties decrease, making it difficult to injection mold, and the surface of the applied pattern is excessively recessed. When the thickness of the three-dimensional pattern portion exceeds 3 mm, the three-dimensional pattern portion is recessed due to excessive shrinkage, thereby causing appearance defects or significantly reducing the light transmittance and brightness, and thus, it is difficult to apply the three-dimensional pattern portion as a lighting assembly.

[0060] (2) Coating portion

[0061] The coating portion 12 according to one form of the present application is not particularly limited, as long as it is coated on the upper portion of the three-dimensional pattern portion, the appearance of the coating portion can be recognized while improving the concealing properties of the three-dimensional pattern portion containing the three-dimensional pattern when there is no light incidence, and the three-dimensional effect of the three-dimensional pattern portion is not reduced when there is light incidence.

[0062] The coating portion according to one form of the present application can be recognized as colorless or colored during the day, and preferably, it can contain one or more coatings selected from the group consisting of colorless paint, colored paint, and combinations thereof, for example, as colorless paint, it can be metallic paint, general matte paint, high-elasticity paint, soft-feeling paint, or white pigment, preferably it can be light-transmissive black high-gloss paint, and as colored paint, it can be general single-color paint, pastel paint, or the like. More preferably, the light-transmissive black high-gloss paint can be coating type 2 or coating type 1, preferably transparent coating type 1. The high-gloss paint can be coated in an ultraviolet curing type or a thermal curing type. Thus, a specific pattern expressed by the coating portion can be achieved during the day, for example, appearances such as wood, metal, high gloss, and the like.

[0063] In addition, the coating portion according to one form of the present application can add pigments, thereby improving the concealing function and light-transmissive function of the three-dimensional pattern contained in the three-dimensional pattern portion. The pigments can be, for example, nano-sized carbon black, and preferably, they can be a composite of nano-sized carbon black, azo compounds, and phthalocyanine compounds.

[0064] Preferably, the coating portion can contain 95% to 99.5% by weight of paint and 0.5% to 5% by weight of pigments. When the weight percentage of the paint is less than 95% by weight or the weight percentage of the pigments is less than 0.5% by weight, the concealing properties decrease, and when the weight percentage of the paint exceeds 99.5% by weight or the weight percentage of the pigments exceeds 5% by weight, the light-transmissive properties decrease.

[0065] Further, the present application can adjust the thickness of the coating portion to obtain the effect of adding 0.5 to 5% by weight of the pigment. Specifically, based on the thickness of the coating portion of 21 to 22 μm (100%), in which the pigment contained in the coating is fixed to 5% by weight, the coating portion can be manufactured with a thickness of 18 to 19 μm (90%) to thereby manufacture the coating portion containing 4.5% of the pigment; the coating portion can be manufactured with a thickness of 14 to 15 μm (70%) to thereby manufacture the coating portion containing 3.5% of the pigment; the coating portion can be manufactured with a thickness of 10 to 11 μm (50%) to thereby manufacture the coating portion containing 2.5% of the pigment; the coating portion can be manufactured with a thickness of 6 to 7 μm (30%) to thereby manufacture the coating portion containing 1.5% of the pigment; the coating portion can be manufactured with a thickness of 2 to 3 μm (10%) to thereby manufacture the coating portion containing 0.5% of the pigment. Accordingly, the weight percentage of the pigment can be adjusted by adjusting the thickness of the coating portion without adjusting the weight percentage of the pigment contained in the coating.

[0066] illuminating portion

[0067] Figure 1 The bottom of FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an illuminating portion 20 of a vehicle panel 1 according to one form of the present application. Referring to the bottom of FIG. 1, the illuminating portion is positioned such that light is emitted from the inner surface of the panel body, and can include a diffusion plate 21 disposed at a position corresponding to the panel body and a light source 22 disposed apart from the inner side of the diffusion plate, and further includes a diffusion film 23 located on the diffusion plate. Figure 1

[0068] diffusion plate

[0069] The diffusion plate 21 according to the present application is not particularly limited as long as it is disposed to correspond to the three-dimensional pattern contained in the three-dimensional pattern portion of the panel body, respectively, thereby maximizing the light emitting area of the light source.

[0070] ​The diffusion plate according to one form of the present application can have a spaced distance from the three-dimensional pattern portion within the panel body, thereby providing a three-dimensional effect and a gradient effect, and the spaced distance from the light source can be set to a specific distance. Specifically, the spaced distance between the light source and the diffusion plate can be 10 to 15 mm, and the spaced distance between the diffusion plate and the three-dimensional pattern portion can be 2 to 4 mm. When the spaced distance between the light source and the diffusion plate is less than 10 mm or the spaced distance between the diffusion plate and the three-dimensional pattern portion is less than 2 mm, the visibility of the three-dimensional pattern edge at the three-dimensional pattern portion of the panel body irradiated and displayed by the light source can be reduced, or the gradient effect thereof can be reduced, and when the spaced distance between the light source and the diffusion plate exceeds 15 mm or the spaced distance between the diffusion plate and the three-dimensional pattern portion exceeds 4 mm, there is a possibility that the light brightness is reduced or adjacent components are interfered due to the door trim shape.

[0071] The diffusion plate according to one form of the present application can have a shape in which the thickness increases from the center portion toward the outer portion, and have a semi-spherical cross-section in which the panel body side of the diffusion plate has a planar shape and the light source side thereof is recessed from the light source toward the panel body. The diffusion plate having the above-described shape is characterized in that the gradient effect of the three-dimensional pattern is improved.

[0072] The thickness of the diffusion plate according to the present application can be 1.5 to 3.8 mm, and preferably, the center portion of the diffusion plate can be 1.5 mm, or the outer portion thereof can be 3.5 mm. When the thickness of the diffusion plate is less than 1.5 mm, the light diffusion effect can be reduced, thereby causing a hot spot, and when the thickness of the diffusion plate exceeds 3.8 mm, the brightness is reduced.

[0073] The diffusion plate according to the present application is not particularly limited as long as it has a light-transmitting property to transmit light. Preferably, the diffusion plate can be a plastic capable of transmitting light and having good impact resistance, more preferably, it can include one type selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate (PC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polycarbonate / polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PC / PETG) composite, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), PC / ABS composite, and combinations thereof, and still more preferably, polycarbonate (PC) having excellent light-transmitting property and having good impact resistance.

[0074] Further, the diffusion plate can further include a diffusing agent to improve the diffusion effect of the light irradiated by the light source. The diffusing agent can include one or more types selected from the group consisting of SiO2, silicone rubber, TiO2, and PMMA, and does not include a specific component, but preferably includes spherical SiO2.

[0075] The content of the diffusing agent is preferably 0.5 to 2% by weight based on 100% by weight of the entire diffusion plate. When the content of the diffusing agent is less than 0.5% by weight, the diffusion effect is insufficient, resulting in hot spots, and when the content of the diffusing agent exceeds 2% by weight, the light transmittance is reduced.

[0076] In addition, the diffusion plate can be added with a particle additive instead of the diffusing agent, thereby reducing light scattering, and the particle additive can include one or more types selected from TiO2, PMMA, silicone rubber, and TiO2, without being limited to including a specific component.

[0077] (2) Light source

[0078] The light source 22 according to the present application is not particularly limited as long as it is disposed at one side of the light guide plate to emit light. The light source according to one form of the present application can use an LED capable of emitting light of various colors (red / blue / white, etc.), and can be mainly disposed to be turned on at the same time as the vehicle head and tail lamps (turned on at night), and preferably, it can be provided with a circuit such that when the driver operates a multifunction switch to turn on the head or tail lamp, the light source can simultaneously receive the vehicle power supply to turn on.

[0079] (3) Diffusion film

[0080] The diffusion film 23 according to the present application is not particularly limited as long as it is located on the upper surface of the diffusion plate such that the light emitted by the light source and transmitted through the diffusion plate is transmitted through the diffusion film, thereby further improving the gradation effect of the light-emitting three-dimensional pattern.

[0081] The diffusion film according to one form of the present application can be a transparent film including one or more types selected from polycarbonate (PC), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and PET, without being limited to including a specific component.

[0082] The diffusion film can be manufactured by gravure printing, thermoelectric conversion micro printing, etc., and is preferably manufactured by thermoelectric conversion micro printing, and the manufacturing method is not particularly limited as long as it can sharpen the light-emitting three-dimensional pattern while improving the gradation effect.

[0083] Vehicle panel

[0084] The vehicle panel according to one form of the present application includes an illumination portion, and the light of the light source located inside the diffusion plate can be incident to the diffusion plate, the incident light is transmitted through the diffusion plate and the diffusion film, and is irradiated to the panel body, so that the three-dimensional pattern can emit light.

[0085] In detail, a vehicle panel including a panel body and a lighting portion according to one form of the present application can have a light transmittance of 2 to 10% and a lightness (L*) of 2 to 3 in the daytime, thereby not showing a three-dimensional pattern. However, a light-emitting three-dimensional pattern can have a brightness of 0.5 cd / m 2 to 6 cd / m 2 , a light transmittance of 1 to 30%, and a lightness (L*) of 2 to 40 at night, and preferably, a brightness of 1 cd / m 2 to 3 cd / m 2 , a light transmittance of 3 to 10%, and a lightness (L*) of 3 to 10.

[0086] That is, the vehicle panel according to the present application is characterized in that it conceals a three-dimensional pattern in the daytime as a concealing type, thereby not being easily visually recognized. However, a specific pattern, for example, a high gloss of a coating portion, can be recognized. When a light source is turned on at night, a light-emitting three-dimensional pattern can be visually recognized, and an edge portion of the three-dimensional pattern is well expressed, and the contrast of the light-emitting three-dimensional pattern can be adjusted by adjusting the contrast of the light source irradiated from the inside, thereby reducing light source loss, and by using a diffusion plate to maximize the light-emitting area, and by locating the light source inside the diffusion plate and spacing the diffusion plate by a specific distance, thereby improving the three-dimensional effect of the light-emitting three-dimensional pattern and improving the gradation effect to improve the aesthetic and luxurious feel.

[0087] Therefore, the vehicle panel according to the present application can include one or more types selected from the group consisting of an insert assembly trim, a bumper trim, a rear trim, a rear spoiler trim, a front trim, a side trim, a gasket trim, a fender trim, a side step trim, a front door trim, a front and rear trim, a bumper trim, a door sill, a logo, and combinations thereof.

[0088] Hereinafter, the present application will be described in more detail by examples. The following examples are only for the purpose of helping to understand the present application, and the scope of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0089] Example 1-1-1

[0090] The opaque carbonate (gray 100%; SM100) containing 99.994 wt% of polycarbonate and 0.006 wt% of carbon black-containing pigment was manufactured by mixing polycarbonate (PC) and carbon black-containing pigment as a base material using a twin-screw extruder. At this time, the three-dimensional pattern portion was composed of a plurality of unit portions having a thickness of 3.0 mm, and the shape of the three-dimensional pattern contained in the three-dimensional pattern portion had a rhombic bottom surface with an engraving depth of 0.2 to 0.8 mm.

[0091] The coating part is manufactured by mixing a light-transmitting black high-gloss paint as a colorless paint and carbon black, an azo compound, and a phthalocyanine compound as pigments, and then the manufactured coating part is applied to the upper surface of the manufactured three-dimensional pattern part in a UV light-curing type. Specifically, based on the thickness of the coating part of 21 to 22 μm (100%), in which the pigments contained in the paint are fixed at 5% by weight, the light-transmitting high-gloss paint and the pigments mixed with carbon black, an azo compound, and a phthalocyanine compound are mixed, and then the coating part is manufactured in a thickness of 6 to 7 μm (30%), thereby manufacturing the coating part containing 1.5% of the pigments.

[0092] The diffusion plate is manufactured in a semicircular structure, in which, based on the cross section of the diffusion plate, the center part is 1.5 mm, or the outer part is 3.5 mm. The diffusion plate is manufactured by using PC as a base material, and based on 100% by weight of the entire diffusion plate, it contains 1.5% of a SiO2-containing diffuser. The diffusion plate has a spaced distance of 4 mm from the three-dimensional pattern part, and a spaced distance of 15 mm from the light source.

[0093] The diffusion film is manufactured by thermal electro-micro printing using PET as a raw material, and is disposed on the upper surface of the diffusion plate.

[0094] The light source uses a white single chip light emitting diode (LED) disposed on the inner side of the diffusion plate with a spaced distance of 15 mm from the diffusion plate, thereby finally obtaining the vehicle panel according to the present application. Various color changes can be generated by applying an RGB LED.

[0095] Example 1-1-2 and Example 1-1-3

[0096] The vehicle panel is manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1-1-1, except that the coating part is manufactured in a thickness of 10 to 11 μm (50%), thereby manufacturing the coating part containing 2.5% of the pigments (Example 1-1-2), or the coating part is manufactured in a thickness of 14 to 15 μm (70%), thereby manufacturing the coating part containing 3.5% of the pigments (Example 1-1-3), compared to Example 1-1-1.

[0097] Example 1-2-1 to Example 1-2-3

[0098] The vehicle panel is manufactured in the same manner as in Example 1-1-1 to Example 1-1-3, except that the three-dimensional pattern part is manufactured in a thickness of 1.5 mm instead of 3.0 mm, compared to Example 1-1-1 to Example 1-1-3.

[0099] Comparative Example 1-1-1 to Comparative Example 1-1-4

[0100] Comparative Example 1-1-1 to Comparative Example 1-1-4

[0101] Comparative Example 1-2-1 to Comparative Example 1-2-4

[0102] Comparative Example 1-1-1 to Comparative Example 1-1-4

[0103] Comparative Example 2-1-1 to Comparative Example 2-1-7

[0104] Comparative Example 1-1-1 to Comparative Example 1-1-4

[0105] Comparative Example 2-2-1 to Comparative Example 2-2-7

[0106] A vehicle panel was manufactured in the same manner as Comparative Example 2-1-1 to Comparative Example 2-1-7, except that the three-dimensional pattern portion was manufactured in a thickness of 1.5 mm instead of 3.0 mm.

[0107] Comparative Example 3-1-1 to Comparative Example 3-1-7

[0108] A vehicle panel was manufactured in the same manner as Comparative Example 2-1-1 to Comparative Example 2-1-7, except that an opaque carbonate containing 99.997 wt% of polycarbonate and 0.003 wt% of carbon black-containing pigment (gray 50%; SM50) was used in the three-dimensional pattern portion instead of the transparent polycarbonate.

[0109] Comparative Example 3-2-1 to Comparative Example 3-2-7

[0110] A vehicle panel was manufactured in the same manner as Comparative Example 3-1-1 to Comparative Example 3-1-7, except that the three-dimensional pattern portion was manufactured in a thickness of 1.5 mm instead of 3.0 mm.

[0111] Comparative Example 4-1-1 to Comparative Example 4-1-7

[0112] A vehicle panel was manufactured in the same manner as Comparative Example 2-1-1 to Comparative Example 2-1-7, except that an opaque carbonate containing 99.991 wt% of polycarbonate and 0.009 wt% of carbon black-containing pigment (gray 150%; SM150) was used in the three-dimensional pattern portion instead of the transparent polycarbonate.

[0113] Comparative Example 4-2-1 to Comparative Example 4-2-7

[0114] A vehicle panel was manufactured in the same manner as Comparative Example 4-1-1 to Comparative Example 4-1-7, except that the three-dimensional pattern portion was manufactured in a thickness of 1.5 mm instead of 3.0 mm.

[0115] Experimental Example 1 - Evaluation of Concealment Properties of a Vehicle Panel According to Pigments Contained in a Three-Dimensional Pattern Portion and Pigments Contained in a Coating Portion

[0116] By comparing the concealing properties of the vehicle panels according to Examples 1-1-1 to 1-1-3 with those of the vehicle panels according to Comparative Examples 1-1-1 to 1-1-4, Comparative Examples 2-1-1 to 2-1-7, Comparative Examples 3-1-1 to 3-1-7, and Comparative Examples 4-1-1 to 4-1-7, the optimal pigment component range capable of sufficiently concealing the three-dimensional pattern during the day was confirmed.

[0117] As a result, as shown in FIG. 1, in the vehicle panels according to Examples 1-1-1 to 1-1-3, the three-dimensional pattern included in the three-dimensional pattern portion was not visually recognized during the day. On the other hand, in Comparative Examples 1-1-1 and 1-1-2, the three-dimensional pattern was partially recognized. In Comparative Examples 1-1-3 and 1-1-4, if the pigment included in the coating portion exceeds 4.5 wt% (70%), there is no discrimination as in the other comparative examples, and subsequently, in the luminance, light transmittance, and lightness evaluation, the lighting effect is reduced, so the three-dimensional effect of the three-dimensional pattern cannot be clearly recognized. Figure 3

[0118] Therefore, in the vehicle panel according to one form of the present application, the vehicle panel includes a three-dimensional pattern portion including an opaque carbonate including 99.994 wt% of polycarbonate and 0.006 wt% of a carbon black-containing pigment, and a coating portion is manufactured with a thickness of 6 to 15 μm (30 to 70%) so as to include 1.5 to 3.5% of a pigment, the three-dimensional pattern cannot be visually recognized during the day, but a specific pattern (e.g., high gloss) exhibited by the coating portion can be recognized, and when a light source is turned on and light is irradiated at night, the three-dimensional effect of the light-emitting three-dimensional pattern can be very well exhibited. Furthermore, by irradiating a light source from the inside instead of the conventional method of irradiating a light source to the side surface, light source loss can be reduced, and a light-emitting area can be maximally provided using a diffusion plate, and by locating the light source inside the diffusion plate and spacing the diffusion plate by a specific distance, the three-dimensional effect can be improved and a gradient effect can be achieved.

[0119] Experimental Example 2 - Evaluation of Luminance and Light Transmittance of Vehicle Panel According to Pigment Included in Three-Dimensional Pattern Portion and Pigment Included in Coating Portion

[0120] Figures 4 to 7 The evaluation results of the luminance of the vehicle panels according to Examples 1-1-1 to 1-2-3 and Comparative Examples 1-1-1 to 1-2-4, Comparative Examples 2-1-1 to 2-2-7, Comparative Examples 3-1-1 to 3-2-7, and Comparative Examples 4-1-1 to 4-2-7 are shown.​

[0121] The reference brightness (19.8 cd / m²) used for evaluating brightness is evaluated based on the brightness of the diffusion film on the upper surface of the diffusion plate and the brightness of the light transmitted through the diffusion plate from the light source. 2 To identify the luminous 3D panel, at least 1 cd / m² is required. 2 The brightness.

[0122] also, Figure 8 A graph illustrating the relationship between brightness and transmittance evaluated in vehicle panels according to Examples 1-1-1 to 1-2-3 and vehicle panels according to Comparative Examples 1-1-1 to 1-2-4, 2-1-1 to 2-2-7, 3-1-1 to 3-2-7, and 4-1-1 to 4-2-7. (See reference...) Figure 8 It can be confirmed that as brightness increases, light transmittance increases proportionally.

[0123] refer to Figure 8 The content in, such as Figure 4 As shown, it can be confirmed that the three-dimensional effect of the luminescent three-dimensional pattern in the vehicle panel according to Examples 1-1-1 to 1-2-3 is better than that of the vehicle panel according to Comparative Examples 1-1-1 to 1-2-4 (even based on the front surface).

[0124] On the other hand, such as Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in Comparative Examples 2-1-1 to 2-2-7 and Comparative Examples 3-1-1 to 3-2-7, if the pigment contained in the coating portion exceeds 4.5% by weight (70%), the lighting effect is reduced to a brightness of less than 0.5 cd / m². 2 The light transmittance is less than 1%, thus the three-dimensional effect of the three-dimensional pattern cannot be clearly identified. If the pigment contained in the coating portion is less than 4.5% by weight (70%), the brightness and light transmittance are higher than the level at which the three-dimensional pattern can be identified, but the expressiveness of the pattern edge portions is reduced, thus reducing the three-dimensional effect, or as shown in Experimental Example 1, the three-dimensional pattern can be visually identified during the day. Meanwhile, as... Figure 7 As shown, since the pigment content in the three-dimensional pattern portion of the vehicle panel according to Comparative Examples 4-1-1 to 4-2-7 is relatively high, the lighting effect is reduced, and thus the three-dimensional effect of the three-dimensional pattern cannot be clearly identified.

[0125] That is, a vehicle panel according to one form of the present application includes a three-dimensional pattern portion including an opaque carbonate including 99.994 wt% of polycarbonate and 0.006 wt% of a carbon black-containing pigment, and a coating portion manufactured with a thickness of 6 to 15 μm (50%) to include 1.5 to 3.5% of a pigment, and when the three-dimensional pattern included in the vehicle panel emits light, the brightness is 0.5 cd / m 2 to 6 cd / m 2 , the light transmittance is 1 to 30%, and preferably, the brightness is 1 cd / m 2 to 3 cd / m 2 , the light transmittance is 3 to 10%, and thus even when a light source is turned on at night and light is irradiated onto the three-dimensional pattern, the edge portion has good expressiveness and does not reduce the illumination effect. Thus, it can be confirmed that the three-dimensional effect of the light-emitting three-dimensional pattern is good. Furthermore, by irradiating a light source from the inside rather than the conventional method of irradiating a light source to a side surface, light source loss can be reduced, the light-emitting area can be maximally provided using a diffusion plate, and by locating the light source inside the diffusion plate and spacing the diffusion plate by a certain distance, the three-dimensional effect can be improved and a gradient effect can be achieved.

Claims

1. A vehicle panel, the vehicle panel comprising: A panel body comprising a three-dimensional pattern portion and a coating portion, the three-dimensional pattern portion including a three-dimensional pattern engraved on the rear surface of the three-dimensional pattern portion, and the coating portion being applied to the upper surface of the three-dimensional pattern portion; and The lighting section is configured such that light is emitted from the inner surface of the panel body. in, The lighting component includes a diffuser plate and a light source. The diffuser plate is positioned at a location corresponding to the main body of the panel, and the light source is located inside the diffuser plate and is also separated from it. The three-dimensional patterned portion contains opaque polycarbonate. The opaque polycarbonate comprises: 99.991% to 99.997% by weight of polycarbonate; and 0.003% to 0.009% by weight of carbon black-containing pigments, The coating portion includes: Coatings ranging from 95% to 99.5% by weight; and 0.5% to 5% by weight of pigment, The thickness of the coating portion is 2 μm to 22 μm.

2. The vehicle panel according to claim 1, wherein, The three-dimensional pattern is engraved at a depth of 0.2mm to 1.5mm.

3. The vehicle panel according to claim 1, wherein, The three-dimensional pattern has one or more shapes selected from cuboid, trapezoid, rhombus, hemisphere and combinations thereof.

4. The vehicle panel according to claim 1, wherein, The coating includes one or more coatings selected from colorless coatings, colored coatings, and combinations thereof.

5. The vehicle panel according to claim 1, wherein, The diffusion plate comprises a diffusion agent, which comprises one or more materials selected from silica, silicone rubber, titanium dioxide and PMMA.

6. The vehicle panel according to claim 5, wherein, Based on 100% by weight of all diffusion plates, the content of the diffusing agent is from 0.5% by weight to 2% by weight.

7. The vehicle panel according to claim 1, wherein, The distance between the light source and the diffuser plate is 10mm to 15mm.

8. The vehicle panel according to claim 1, wherein, The spacing between the diffuser plate and the three-dimensional pattern is 2mm to 4mm.

9. The vehicle panel according to claim 1, wherein, The diffuser plate has a thickness that increases from the center portion toward the outer portion.

10. The vehicle panel according to claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the diffuser plate ranges from 1.5 mm to 3.8 mm.

11. The vehicle panel according to claim 1, wherein, The lighting component further includes a diffusion film disposed on the upper surface of the diffusion plate.

12. The vehicle panel according to claim 11, wherein, The diffusion film comprises one or more materials selected from polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate and polyethylene terephthalate.

13. The vehicle panel according to claim 11, wherein, When emitting light, the three-dimensional pattern has a density of 0.5 cd / m². 2 Up to 6 cd / m 2 The brightness, transmittance of 1% to 30%, and light intensity of 2% to 40%.

14. The vehicle panel according to claim 13, wherein, When illuminated, the contrast of the three-dimensional pattern is adjusted by regulating its brightness.

15. The vehicle panel according to claim 1, wherein, The vehicle panel includes one or more types selected from embedded component trim, bumper trim, rear trim, tailgate trim, front trim, side trim, gasket trim, mudguard trim, side ladder trim, front door trim, front and rear trim, bumper trim, door skid plate, logo, and combinations thereof.

Images