Method for manufacturing a decorative panel and related decorative panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a decorative panel (1) comprising a transparent or translucent carrier (2) which, when installed as specified, defines a visible surface (5) facing an observer and a back surface (6) facing away from the observer, wherein one of the multiple surfaces of the visible surface (5) and the back surface (6) forms a three-dimensional surface profile (K) which can be described relative to a reference plane (E) by means of a height coordinate (h); and at least one effect layer (3) which is applied to the back surface (6) or the visible surface (5) of the carrier (2) and is formed such that the following applies to multiple positions of the effect layer (3): the local transmittance and / or local color value at the corresponding position of the effect layer (3) is related to the height coordinate (h) of the following point of the surface profile (K), the vertical projection of which onto the reference plane (E) coincides with the vertical projection of the corresponding position of the effect layer (3) onto the reference plane (E); and a related manufacturing method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a decorative panel and a related decorative panel. Background Art

[0002] Decorative panels are used, for example, as interior decoration in motor vehicle passenger compartments. In addition to sufficient wear resistance and durability under extreme temperature fluctuations and direct sunlight exposure, panels are also desired to have a visually and tactilely attractive surface. Panels are considered visually attractive if a visually recognizable three-dimensional surface contour is clearly visible from the viewer's perspective, even if the transparent or at least translucent carrier into which the surface contour is inserted is relatively thick for reasons of stability and / or durability. The problem is that when viewed from the side, the desired depth effect of the three-dimensional surface is lost, which is aesthetically disadvantageous and particularly disadvantageous for the goal of evoking a realistic visual impression in the viewer. Strategies that maintain this visual impression by inserting the surface contour deeper into the carrier (e.g., deeper than the natural depth of the surface contour) can pose problems for the durability of the decorative element and introduce a risk of injury. Furthermore, there is a general demand to save weight in motor vehicle construction, i.e., to achieve decorative panels with the smallest possible thickness. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Against this background, it is necessary to provide a method for producing optically improved and more durable decorative panels with a three-dimensional surface. This task is achieved by the method provided by the present invention. An equally advantageous use and a decorative panel are the subject matter of the respective parallel claims. Advantageous implementations are the subject matter of the respective dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technically meaningful manner and indicate further implementations of the invention. This description, in particular in conjunction with the drawings, additionally illustrates the features and specific aspects of the invention.

[0004] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a decorative panel, which comprises the following steps.

[0005] During the production step, a transparent or translucent carrier is produced. When installed as intended, the carrier defines a visible surface facing the viewer and a rear surface facing away from the viewer. Neither the visible surface nor the rear surface is necessarily the outermost rear surface of the finished decorative panel. In addition to the layers required according to the present invention, the carrier may also have additional coatings, for example, coatings that mechanically protect the surface and / or improve the optical properties, which form the visible surface of the carrier. The carrier may be composed of one or more parts, for example, the carrier may be composed of multiple components connected by a material-locking manner.

[0006] According to the present invention, a three-dimensional surface profile is provided for one of the plurality of surfaces, including the visible surface and the rear surface, by means of a forming process step and / or by using an ablation process step, wherein the surface profile can be described relative to a reference plane by means of height coordinates. The reference plane extends, for example, parallel to a plane spanned by two orthogonal main extension directions of the carrier, or corresponds to a plane spanned by these two orthogonal main extension directions. In another embodiment, the reference plane is oriented such that the viewing direction of an observer from a defined position in the vehicle (e.g., sitting in the driver's seat) to the geometric center of the visible surface is substantially orthogonal to the reference plane.

[0007] In the at least one printing step of the method according to the present invention, printing is performed on the back side or visible side of the carrier to form an effect layer. The effect layer is formed such that the following applies to multiple locations of the effect layer: the local transmittance and / or local color value at the respective location is correlated with the height coordinate of a point whose vertical projection onto a reference plane coincides with the vertical projection of the respective location onto the reference plane. The term height coordinate should not be construed restrictively and may also be referred to as depth coordinate without changing its meaning. Thus, a specific printing process adapted to the surface profile of the structured surface achieves an improved optical depth effect. While maintaining the same optical depth effect, the average roughness depth of the surface profile can be reduced compared to an unprinted variant. This further allows for the option of saving material strength and, therefore, weight, of the carrier while maintaining the same residual thickness at the maximum depth. The ability to reduce the average roughness depth of the three-dimensional surface profile while maintaining a substantially identical optical depth effect, i.e., due to the reinforcement provided by the effect layer, reduces the risk of fracture of the carrier and, therefore, the risk of injury.

[0008] A three-dimensional surface profile can be understood, for example, as a juxtaposition of planes of a diamond-like structure, characterized by planes that are angled relative to one another and form common straight edges at the transitions between adjacent surfaces. In other implementations, the surface profile mimics the contours of natural or artificial features, such as wood grain (particularly its porosity distribution), stone surfaces (particularly their cracks), carbon fiber composite structures, woven fabric surfaces, and the like. For example, multiple printing steps can be provided to supplement the surface profile with one or more effect layers that produce an overall decoration, for example, a multi-colored decoration, such as a wood grain decoration, a stone surface decoration, a carbon fiber composite structure decoration, or a textile surface decoration.

[0009] Preferably, the ablation step comprises laser ablation of a forming tool used to produce the carrier as a preform. For example, a carrier made of thermoplastic is thermoformed and embossed in a forming tool that has previously been surface-processed by laser ablation. In another embodiment, the preform is subsequently surface-processed by laser ablation.

[0010] For example, the height coordinates are obtained from a data set used in the positioning control of the laser ablation device (i.e. during laser ablation). Preferably, the height coordinates are obtained by a surface scan, such as a laser surface scan, of the surface including the back or visible side, carried out before printing, which surface is provided with a surface profile.

[0011] Preferably, a coating step is also provided, in which a preferably substantially uniformly formed, opaque reflective layer is applied from behind and adjacent to the carrier, i.e., onto the carrier, or, if there is only one effect layer, adjacent to the effect layer, to the outside of the effect layer. For example, the reflective layer is dyed substantially white. Preferably, a reflectivity-enhancing interlayer is embedded in the reflective layer to reflect light into the carrier. Application from behind is understood to mean application to the side of the carrier or effect layer that, in the intended arrangement of the panel, faces away from the viewer.

[0012] The carrier is preferably produced by back-molding a film made of a first transparent thermoplastic with a second thermoplastic in a molding process step, thereby achieving a material-locking connection between the film and the second thermoplastic. The film preferably forms the surface for printing the effect layer. Preferably, the film is a polycarbonate film. Preferably, the film is printed before back-molding to form the effect layer.

[0013] In one implementation, the transmittance and / or color values ​​at all locations of the three-dimensional surface profile are predetermined based on the corresponding height coordinates of the locations corresponding to the common projection. In another implementation, selected locations of the effect layer have specific transmittance and / or color values. For example, locations coinciding with the edge of the surface profile in a vertical projection have specific color values ​​that are independent of the height coordinates to achieve edge emphasis. An edge can be understood as a substantially linear transition between two surfaces that are angled relative to each other, where an edge can form a valley or a ridge in the "topography" of the surface profile.

[0014] According to a preferred variant of the method, the locations in the effect layer that coincide with the local maximum height coordinate point when projected vertically onto the reference plane differ in transmittance and / or color value from at least the locations in the effect layer that coincide with the local minimum height coordinate point when projected vertically onto the reference plane, preferably differ by a maximum predetermined difference. This creates a noticeable optical depth effect. For example, due to the specific locally assigned transmittance and / or color value, valleys present in the surface profile of the visible surface or the back side visible through the carrier material, as seen from the viewer's perspective, appear darker than the rest of the surface profile, while peaks and ridges appear correspondingly brighter, or vice versa.

[0015] Preferably, the effect layer is formed by screen printing.

[0016] Preferably, provision is made for a plurality of adjacent locations to be provided, the change in light transmittance of which is positively or negatively correlated with the change in the associated height coordinate. Preferably, the change in light transmittance of these locations is proportional to the change in the height coordinate.

[0017] The invention also relates to the use of the method according to one of the above-mentioned embodiments for producing a decorative panel to be installed in a motor vehicle, in particular as interior decoration.

[0018] The present invention relates to a decorative panel. The decorative panel has a transparent or translucent carrier that, when installed as specified, defines a visible surface facing an observer and a back surface facing away from the observer. One of the multiple surfaces including the visible surface and the back surface forms a three-dimensional surface profile that can be described relative to a reference plane using height coordinates. The reference plane extends, for example, parallel to a plane spanned by two orthogonal main extension directions of the carrier, or corresponds to a plane spanned by these two orthogonal main extension directions. In another embodiment, the reference plane is oriented so that the viewing direction of an observer from a specified position of the observer in the vehicle (e.g., sitting in the driver's seat) to the geometric center of the visible surface is substantially orthogonal to the reference plane.

[0019] The decorative panel according to the present invention further comprises at least one effect layer, which is applied to the back side or the visible side of the carrier, respectively. Here, the effect layer is formed so that the following applies to a plurality of positions of the effect layer: the local transmittance and / or the local color value at the corresponding position is related to the height coordinate of the following point, the vertical projection of the point onto the reference plane coincides with the vertical projection of the corresponding position onto the reference plane. Thus, the specific effect layer adapted to the surface profile of the structured surface achieves an improved optical depth effect. At the same optical depth effect, the average roughness depth of the surface profile can be reduced compared to the unprinted variant, which further allows the option of saving the material strength of the carrier at the same breaking strength, thereby saving the weight of the carrier. The average roughness depth of the three-dimensional surface profile can be reduced at the same optical depth effect, thereby reducing the risk of fracture of the carrier and thus reducing the risk of injury.

[0020] Preferably, a preferably substantially uniformly formed, rear-mounted, opaque reflective layer is provided, which is applied, for example, to the carrier or the effect layer. For example, the reflective layer is dyed substantially white. Preferably, an interlayer that increases reflectivity is embedded in the reflective layer. "Rear-mounted" means applied to the side of the carrier or the effect layer, facing away from the viewer when the panel is positioned as intended, in order to reflect light into the carrier.

[0021] In one implementation, the transmittance and / or color values ​​at all locations on the three-dimensional surface profile of the visible or back side are predetermined based on the corresponding height coordinates of the locations corresponding to the common projection. In another implementation, selected locations of the effect layer have specific transmittance and / or color values. For example, locations coinciding with the edge of the surface profile in a vertical projection have specific color values ​​that are independent of the height coordinates to achieve edge emphasis. An edge can be understood as a substantially linear transition between two planes at a certain angle to each other, where an edge can form a valley or a ridge in the "topography" of the surface profile.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the decorative panel, the locations in the effect layer that coincide with the local maximum height coordinate point when projected vertically onto a reference plane differ in transmittance and / or color value from at least the locations in the effect layer that coincide with the local minimum height coordinate point when projected vertically onto the reference plane, preferably differing by a maximum predetermined difference. This creates a noticeable optical depth effect. For example, due to the specific locally assigned transmittance and / or color value, valleys present in the surface profile of the visible side or the back side visible through the carrier material, as seen from the viewer's perspective, appear darker than the rest of the surface profile, while peaks and ridges appear correspondingly brighter, or vice versa.

[0023] Preferably, provision is made for a plurality of adjacent locations to be provided, the change in light transmittance of which is positively or negatively correlated with the change in the associated height coordinate. Preferably, the change in light transmittance of these locations is proportional to the change in the height coordinate.

[0024] Preferably, the carrier comprises a transparent film and a transparent plastic layer which is integrally connected to the film.

[0025] Preferably, the effect layer is formed by screen printing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The present invention will be explained in more detail based on the following drawings. These drawings should be understood as being merely exemplary and only represent preferred embodiment variants. In them:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first arrangement according to the invention comprising a light source 10 and a first embodiment of a decorative panel 1 according to the invention;

[0028] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a second arrangement according to the invention comprising a light source 10 and a second embodiment of a decorative panel 1 according to the invention;

[0029] Figure 3 Shown are views for explaining the steps of manufacturing a tool used in the method according to the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a third arrangement according to the invention comprising a light source 10 and a third embodiment of a decorative panel 1 according to the invention manufactured by the method;

[0031] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a fourth arrangement according to the invention is shown, comprising a light source 10 and a fourth embodiment of a decorative panel 1 according to the invention produced by the method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an arrangement according to the present invention, showing a light source 10 and a decorative panel in the first embodiment. The decorative panel 1 comprises a carrier 2 made of a transparent thermoplastic. The carrier 2 has a planar structure having essentially two opposing main surfaces connected by end faces on the narrow sides of the carrier 2. One of the end faces 7 faces a light source 10, shown only symbolically, in order to couple light L into the transparent carrier 2, which acts as a light guide. When the decorative panel 1 is mounted as intended, the carrier 2 has a visible surface 5 facing an observer (not shown) and a rear surface 6 facing away from the observer. According to the present invention, one of the multiple surfaces, including the visible surface 5 and the rear surface 6, forms a three-dimensional surface profile K, which can be described relative to a reference plane by height coordinates and is visible to the observer directly or through the material of the carrier, for example due to refraction effects of light.

[0033] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated first embodiment of the decorative panel 1, the visible surface 5 has a surface profile K, comprising flat surfaces that are angled relative to one another and abut to form a straight edge. For example, the reference plane is the plane defined by the two orthogonal main extension directions X and Y of the carrier 2, while the height coordinate of a point on the visible surface 5 having the surface profile is, for example, the distance from the point to the plane, as determined in the z-direction.

[0034] The decorative panel 1 according to the present invention further comprises at least one effect layer 3, which is applied to the rear side 6 or visible side 5 of the carrier 2, depending on the location of the surface profile. The effect layer 3 is formed such that the following applies to multiple locations of the effect layer 3: the local transmittance and / or local color value at the corresponding location of the effect layer 3 is correlated with the height coordinate of a point on the surface profile K whose vertical projection onto a reference plane coincides with the vertical projection of the corresponding location of the effect layer 3 onto the reference plane. Thus, an improved optical depth effect is achieved by adapting the specific effect layer 3 to the surface profile K of the visible side 5. While maintaining the same optical depth effect, the maximum roughness depth of the surface profile K can be reduced compared to unprinted variants. This further allows for the selection of a material strength, and thus weight, savings on the carrier 2, while maintaining the same residual thickness at least at one or more locations of the maximum depth. The average roughness depth of the three-dimensional surface profile K can be reduced while maintaining the same optical depth effect, thereby reducing the risk of fracture of the carrier 2 and, therefore, the risk of injury.

[0035] Furthermore, a substantially uniformly formed, rearwardly arranged, opaque reflective layer 4 is provided, which is applied to the rear side 6 of the carrier 2. For example, the reflective layer 4 is dyed substantially white. It is provided that the locations in the effect layer 3 that coincide with the points of the local maximum height coordinate h of the surface profile K when projected perpendicularly onto a reference plane differ in light transmittance from at least the locations in the effect layer that coincide with the points of the local minimum height coordinate h of the surface profile K when projected perpendicularly onto the reference plane. Thus, locations in the effect layer 3 that correspond, based on the projection, to the local lowest points of the surface profile K are assigned a high light transmittance, and correspondingly, locations in the effect layer 3 that correspond, based on the projection, to the local highest points of the surface profile K are assigned a low light transmittance. The different light transmittances are achieved, for example, by different print densities of the screen print forming the effect layer 3. This creates a noticeable optical depth effect, as valleys appear optically brighter due to their light transmittance, and mountain peaks and ridges appear correspondingly darker, compared to the rest of the surface profile.

[0036] Figure 2is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention, showing a light source 10 and a decorative panel in a second embodiment. The decorative panel 1 comprises a carrier 2 made of a transparent thermoplastic. The carrier 2 has a planar structure which essentially has two opposing main surfaces, which are connected by end faces on the narrow sides of the carrier 2. One of the end faces 7 faces a light source 10, which is only shown symbolically, in order to couple the light L into the transparent carrier 2 as a light guide. When the decorative panel 1 is mounted as specified, the carrier 2 has a visible surface 5 facing an observer, not shown, and a back surface 6 facing away from the observer. According to the invention, one of the surfaces comprising the visible surface 5 and the back surface 6 forms a three-dimensional surface profile K, which can be described relative to a reference plane by means of height coordinates. In Figure 2 In the second embodiment of the decorative panel 1 shown, the back side 6 of the carrier 2 has a surface profile K, comprising flat surfaces that abut each other at an angle, forming a straight edge. In this second embodiment, the surface profile K is visible through the material of the carrier 2. For example, the reference plane is the plane spanned by the two orthogonal main extension directions X and Y of the carrier 2, while the height coordinate of a point on the back side 6 where the surface profile K is provided is, for example, the orthogonal distance, determined in the z-direction, of the point on the surface profile K to this plane.

[0037] The effect layer 3 provided in the second embodiment is applied to the rear side 6 of the carrier 2. Here, the effect layer 3 is formed such that the following applies at multiple locations of the effect layer 3: the local transmittance and / or local color value at the corresponding location of the effect layer 3 is correlated with the height coordinate of a point on the surface profile K whose vertical projection onto a reference plane coincides with the vertical projection of the corresponding location of the effect layer 3 onto the reference plane. Thus, an improved optical depth effect is achieved by adapting the specific effect layer 3 to the surface profile K of the rear side 6. While maintaining the same optical depth effect, the average roughness depth of the surface profile K can be reduced compared to an unprinted variant. This further allows for the option of reducing the material strength and, therefore, the weight of the carrier 2, while maintaining the same residual thickness at one or more locations of the maximum depth. The average roughness depth of the three-dimensional surface profile K can be reduced while maintaining the same optical depth effect, thereby reducing the risk of fracture of the carrier 2 and, therefore, the risk of injury.

[0038] Furthermore, a substantially homogeneous, rearwardly arranged, opaque reflective layer 4 is provided, which is applied to the effect layer 3. For example, the reflective layer 4 is dyed substantially white.

[0039] It is provided that the locations in the effect layer 3 that coincide with the local maximum height coordinate points of the surface profile K when projected perpendicularly onto the reference plane differ in transmittance from at least the locations in the effect layer that coincide with the local minimum height coordinate points of the surface profile K when projected perpendicularly onto the reference plane. Thus, locations in the effect layer 3 that correspond, based on the projection, to the local lowest points of the surface profile K are assigned a high transmittance, and correspondingly, locations in the effect layer 3 that correspond, based on the projection, to the local highest points of the surface profile K are assigned a low transmittance. The different transmittances are achieved, for example, by different print densities of the screen print forming the effect layer 3. This creates a pronounced optical depth effect, which causes valleys visible to an observer through the carrier 2 to appear optically brighter due to the transmittance, and mountaintops or ridges visible through the carrier 2 to appear correspondingly darker, compared to the remaining topography of the surface profile.

[0040] The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a decorative panel 1, as follows Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the method has the following steps.

[0041] During the production step, the carrier 2 is made of a translucent or transparent thermoplastic. When installed as intended, the carrier defines a visible surface 5 facing the viewer and a rear surface 6 facing away from the viewer, wherein the rear surface is not necessarily the outermost rear surface of the decorative panel. The carrier 2 can be composed of one or more parts, for example, the carrier can be composed of multiple parts connected in a material-locking manner. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The carrier 2 shown is formed by means of Figure 3 The forming tool 21 shown is produced by a forming process step, wherein the forming tool 21 is previously produced by a forming process step Figure 3 The illustrated ablation step ablates the surface of the tool 21 by means of a laser device 21. During the forming process by the tool 21, when the thermoplastic forming the carrier 2 is introduced into the cavity formed by the tool 21, this surface of the tool 21 presses a surface having a three-dimensional surface profile K, including the visible and rear surfaces, of the carrier 2 as a preform. The surface profile K can be described by a height coordinate h relative to a reference plane E. For example, the reference plane E extends parallel to a plane spanned by two orthogonal main extension directions of the carrier 2 obtained as a preform.

[0042] In the printing step performed at least once according to the method of the present invention, such as Figure 4As shown, printing is performed on the back side 6 of the carrier 2 obtained as a preform to form the effect layer 3. This effect layer is formed such that the following applies at multiple locations of the effect layer 3: the local light transmittance at the corresponding location of the effect layer is correlated with the height coordinate h of the point of the surface profile K whose perpendicular projection onto the reference plane E coincides with the perpendicular projection of the corresponding location onto the reference plane E. Thus, a specific printing process adapted to the surface profile K of the structured surface achieves an improved optical depth effect. While maintaining the same optical depth effect, the average roughness depth of the surface profile can be reduced compared to an unprinted variant. This further allows for the selection of a material strength, and thus weight, savings on the carrier 2 while maintaining the same residual thickness at least at the maximum depth. The average roughness depth of the three-dimensional surface profile K can be reduced while maintaining the same optical depth effect, thereby reducing the risk of fracture of the carrier 2 and, therefore, the risk of injury. The height coordinate h can be obtained, for example, from a data set used to control a laser ablation device or by performing an additional surface scan of the carrier 2.

[0043] A coating step is also provided, in which a preferably substantially uniformly formed, opaque reflective layer 4 is applied from behind to the carrier 2, more specifically to the outer effect layer 3, to produce a third embodiment of the decorative panel 1 according to the present invention. Here, the reflective layer 4 is dyed substantially white. It is also provided that the locations in the effect layer 3 that coincide with the points of the local maximum height coordinate h of the surface profile K when projected perpendicularly onto the reference plane E differ in light transmittance from at least the locations in the effect layer 3 that coincide with the points of the local minimum height coordinate h of the surface profile K when projected perpendicularly onto the reference plane E. Thus, locations in the effect layer 3 that, based on the projection, correspond to the locations of the surface profile K with the local minimum height coordinate h are assigned a high light transmittance, and correspondingly, locations in the effect layer 3 that, based on the projection, correspond to the locations of the surface profile K with the local maximum height coordinate h are assigned a low light transmittance. The different light transmittances can be achieved, for example, by different print densities in the screen printing used to form the effect layer 3. In this way, a clear optical depth effect is produced, because when the rear side located below is observed through the visible surface 5 through the carrier 2, the elevations 8 appear optically darker due to the light transmittance, and the depressions appear optically brighter accordingly, compared to the remaining topography of the surface profile K. In the third arrangement according to the invention, a light source 10 is again provided, whose light L is coupled into the carrier 2 via the cutout 7.

[0044] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a fourth arrangement according to the invention is shown, comprising a light source 10 and a fourth arrangement according to the invention, in particular by means of Figure 3 The decorative panel 1 is manufactured by the tool 21.

[0045] Here, too, a transparent or translucent carrier 2 is produced in a production step, which, when properly installed, defines a visible side 5 facing the observer and a rear side 6 facing away from the observer, wherein the rear side 6 is not the outermost rear surface of the decorative panel 1. Figure 3 In the molding process step of the molding tool 21 shown, the carrier 2 is produced as a molded part in the cavity of the tool 21. Here, the surface profile K can be described by the height coordinate h relative to the reference plane E. The reference plane E extends, for example, parallel to the plane spanned by the two orthogonal main extension directions of the carrier 2.

[0046] In the printing step performed at least once according to the method of the present invention, such as Figure 4 As shown, the visible surface 5 of the carrier 2 is printed to form the effect layer 3. This effect layer is formed such that the following applies at multiple locations of the effect layer 3: the local light transmittance at the corresponding location is correlated with the height coordinate h of the surface profile K at a point whose perpendicular projection onto the reference plane E coincides with the perpendicular projection of the corresponding location of the effect layer 3 onto the reference plane E. Thus, the specific printing adapted to the surface profile K of the structured surface achieves an improved optical depth effect. While maintaining the same optical depth effect, the average roughness depth of the surface profile can be reduced compared to an unprinted variant. This further allows for the selection of a material strength, and thus weight, savings on the carrier 2, while maintaining the same residual thickness at least at one or more locations of the maximum depth. The average roughness depth of the three-dimensional surface profile K can be reduced while maintaining the same optical depth effect, thereby reducing the risk of fracture of the carrier 2 and, therefore, the risk of injury. The height coordinate h can be obtained, for example, from a data set used to control a laser ablation device or by performing an additional surface scan of the carrier 2.

[0047] A coating step is also provided, in which a preferably substantially uniformly formed, opaque reflective layer 4 is applied from behind to the back side 6 of the carrier 2 to produce a fourth embodiment of the decorative panel 1 according to the present invention. In this case, the reflective layer 4 is dyed substantially white. It is also provided that the locations in the effect layer 3 that coincide with the points of the local maximum height coordinate h of the surface profile K when projected perpendicularly onto the reference plane E differ in light transmittance from at least the locations in the effect layer 3 that coincide with the points of the local minimum height coordinate h of the surface profile K when projected perpendicularly onto the reference plane E. Thus, locations in the effect layer 3 that, based on the projection, correspond to the locations of the surface profile K with the local minimum height coordinate h are assigned a high light transmittance, and correspondingly, locations in the effect layer 3 that, based on the projection, correspond to the locations of the surface profile K with the local maximum height coordinate h are assigned a low light transmittance. The different light transmittances can be achieved, for example, by different print densities in the screen printing used to form the effect layer 3. In this way, a clear optical depth effect is produced, because when the rear side located below is observed through the visible surface 5 through the carrier 2, the elevations 8 appear optically darker due to the light transmittance, and the depressions appear optically brighter accordingly, compared to the remaining topography of the surface profile K. In the fourth arrangement according to the invention, a light source 10 is again provided, whose light L is coupled into the carrier 2 via the cutout 7.

Claims

1. An arrangement of a light source (10) and a decorative panel (1), characterized in that: include: A transparent or translucent carrier (2) having two orthogonal main extension directions (X, Y), two opposite main surfaces being connected by end faces (7) on the narrow sides of the carrier (2), wherein, when mounted as intended, the carrier (2) defines a visible surface (5) facing an observer and a rear surface (6) facing away from the observer, wherein the rear surface (6) forms a three-dimensional surface profile (K) which can be described by a height coordinate (h) relative to a reference plane (E) formed by the two main extension directions (X, Y); and at least one effect layer (3), the at least one effect layer (3) being applied to the rear side (6) or the visible side (5) of the carrier (2), respectively, and the at least one effect layer (3) being formed such that the following applies to a plurality of locations of the effect layer (3): the local light transmittance at the corresponding location is correlated with the height coordinate (h) of the following point of the surface profile (K), the vertical projection of the point onto the reference plane (E) coinciding with the vertical projection of the corresponding location of the effect layer (3) onto the reference plane (E); One of the end faces (7) faces the light source (10) to couple light (L) into the carrier (2) as a light guide, and due to the refraction effect of the light, the surface profile (K) is visible through the carrier (2); The light source (10) is arranged to couple light into the carrier (2) of the decorative panel (1).

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that The decorative pane (1) further comprises a uniformly formed, rear-arranged, opaque reflective layer (4), which is applied to the carrier (2) or the outer effect layer (3).

3. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that The position in the effect layer (3) that coincides with the point of the local maximum height coordinate (h) of the surface profile (K) when they are jointly vertically projected onto the reference plane (E) is at least different in transmittance from the position in the effect layer (3) that coincides with the point of the local minimum height coordinate (h) of the surface profile (K) when they are jointly vertically projected onto the reference plane (E).

4. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The carrier (2) comprises a transparent film made of a first thermoplastic and a transparent layer made of a second thermoplastic connected to the film in a material-bonded manner.

5. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The effect layer (3) is formed by screen printing of the carrier (2).

6. Arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that Several of the positions are arranged adjacent to each other, and a change in light transmittance is positively or negatively correlated with an associated change in height coordinate.

Images