Elastically deformable decorative element

Abstract

The invention relates to a decorative element (12) comprising: a first main layer (14) and a second main layer (16), the first main layer and the second main layer comprising first structural fibres (26); and a spacer (18) arranged between the main layers in a first direction (Z). At least one of the main layers (14, 16) comprises a mesh (28) of meshes (30) extending in a second (X) and a third (Y) direction perpendicular to the first direction (Z), said mesh (28) of meshes being elastically deformable in the second (X) and / or the third (Y) direction; and the spacer (18) comprises a plurality of second fibers (36), each of the second fibers (36) extending between a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being attached to the first main layer (14) and the second main layer (16), respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a decorative element of a component type, the component comprising: a first main layer and a second main layer, each of the first and second main layers comprising a first structural fiber; and a spacer arranged between the first and second main layers along a first direction. Background Art

[0002] It is known to use such trim elements for lining vehicle interiors, in particular motor vehicles, as described in EP0855974.

[0003] Some equipment items in the vehicle interior have convex shapes, edges and / or small radii of curvature. It is therefore advantageous to have an elastically deformable trim element which enables this type of shape to fit snugly.

[0004] Other advantages are sought for vehicle trim parts, such as a pleasant feel, low weight, limited costs and optimized environmental impact. Summary of the invention

[0005] To this end, the object of the present invention is a decorative element of the above-mentioned type, wherein: at least one of the first main layer and the second main layer comprises a mesh web formed by first structural fibers, extending in second and third directions perpendicular to the first direction, the mesh web being elastically deformable in the second and / or third direction; and the spacer comprises a plurality of second fibers, each of which extends between a first and a second end, the first end and the second end being attached to the first main layer and the second main layer, respectively.

[0006] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the decorative element comprises one or more of the following features, considered alone or in any technically feasible combination:

[0007] - each of the second optical fibers comprises: a first end branch and a second end branch, adjacent to the first end and the second end of the second optical fiber, respectively; and

[0008] a central portion; each of the first end branch and the second end branch is mixed with the first structural fibers of the first main layer and the second main layer, respectively; the central portion of the second fibers is disposed between the first main layer and the second main layer to form the spacer;

[0009] The first end branch and the second end branch of each second fiber are substantially

[0010] extend parallel to each other, and the central portion is curved;

[0011] - The mesh net is constructed such that each mesh of the net comprises:

[0012] edges formed by the first structural fibers; and a central opening surrounded by the edges;

[0013] - each side of the mesh web is formed by a plurality of first structural fibers;

[0014] - the mesh net is constructed so that each mesh of the net is substantially

[0015] forming a polygon having a number of sides greater than or equal to four;

[0016] - the mesh net is constructed so that each mesh of the net is substantially

[0017] Form a hexagon;

[0018] - each of the first main layer and the second main layer comprises a mesh web formed of the first structural fibers, each of said mesh webs being formed in the second and / or the

[0019] Extending in a third direction and being elastically deformable;

[0020] - each of the second fibers has a first end leg and a second end leg adjacent to the first end and the second end, respectively, and a central portion, the central portion of the second fiber forming a spacer; - and each of the second fibers is arranged in a U-shape, the first end leg and the second end leg are substantially parallel to each other, and the central portion is curved.

[0021] The decorative element further comprises at least one additional layer

[0022] At least one of the first main layer and the second main layer is in contact;

[0023] - the first structural fibers of the first main layer and / or the second main layer and / or the second fibers of the spacer comprise natural fibers, preferably selected from flax, hemp, kenaf, coir, sisal, jute and / or natural based man-made fibers, such as wood based viscose and

[0024] its derivatives;

[0025] - Based on the total weight of the first structural fibers and the second fibers, the first structural fibers of the first main layer and / or the second main layer and / or the second fibers of the spacer include 2 wt% and

[0026] 100% by weight of natural fibers.

[0027] The invention also relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a trim element as described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention will become more apparent on reading the following description, given by way of non-limiting example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] - Figure 1 is an exploded cross-sectional view of an exemplary decorative element according to one embodiment of the present invention, and

[0030] - Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A top view of a portion of a decorative element. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic detailed exploded cross-sectional view of a decorative element 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] The decorative element 10 is designed, for example, to line the interior of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle. Alternatively, the decorative element 10 can be used to line furniture, sports accessories or other objects that receive a decorative covering.

[0033] The trim element 10 comprises an assembly 12 formed of a first main layer 14 and a second main layer 16 and of a spacer 18 .

[0034] In the illustrated embodiment, the trim element 10 further includes a cover layer 20 , an intermediate layer 22 , and an interface layer 24 .

[0035] In the remainder of this description, an orthonormal basis (X, Y, Z) is considered in connection with the decorative element 10. The first direction Z corresponds to the stacking direction, in particular along which the spacers 18 are arranged between the first and second main layers 14, 16.

[0036] Each of the first main layer 14 and the second main layer 16 of the component 12 comprises a first structural fiber 26. Preferably, the first structural fibers 26 of the first main layer 14 and / or the second main layer 16 comprise natural fibers. The natural fibers are selected, for example, from flax, hemp, kenaf, coir, sisal, jute and / or natural-based man-made fibers, such as wood-based viscose fibers and derivatives thereof.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the first structural fibers 26 of the first and / or second main layers 14, 16 comprise polyolefin fibers. The polyolefin is especially selected from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and mixtures thereof.

[0038] The first structural fibers 26 of the first and second principal layers 14, 16 may be similar or different.

[0039] The first structural fibers 26 of the first main layer 14 comprise a percentage of natural fibers, preferably between 2% and 50%, more preferably between 20% and 45%, even more preferably close to 30%.

[0040] The first structural fibers 26 of the second main layer 16 comprise a percentage of natural fibers, preferably between 20% and 90%, more preferably between 30% and 80%.

[0041] The first structural fibers 26 of each of the first main layer 14 and the second main layer 16 are bonded together in a woven or nonwoven form.

[0042] Figure 2 is a top view of the assembly 12 .

[0043] Each of the first main layer 14 and the second main layer 16 of the component 12 extends substantially in a plane (X, Y) including a second direction X and a third direction Y perpendicular to the first direction Z.

[0044] More specifically, at least one of the first 14 and second 16 main layers has a web 28 of meshes 30 formed by first structural fibers 26. The web 28 of meshes 30 extends in a plane (X, Y) corresponding to the first or second 14, 16 main layer.

[0045] The web 28 of meshes 30 is constructed such that each mesh 30 of the web 28 includes: edges 32 formed by the first structural fibers 26; and a central opening 34 surrounded by the edges 32. Each edge 32 of the mesh 30 is defined as being common to two adjacent meshes and separating the adjacent meshes from each other.

[0046] Preferably, the central opening 34 of each mesh 30 of the mesh 28 has a maximum dimension of approximately 10 mm in the corresponding plane (X, Y).

[0047] Preferably, each side 32 of the mesh 30 of the web 28 is formed from a plurality of first structural fibers 26 in a woven or nonwoven form.

[0048] The mesh 28 of the meshes 30 is elastically deformable in the second X direction and / or the third Y direction. Preferably, in order to ensure such deformability, each mesh 30 of the mesh 28 substantially forms a polygon having a number of sides greater than or equal to four. In the embodiment shown, each mesh 30 of the mesh 28 has six sides 32 and forms a substantially regular hexagon.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the first 14 and second 16 main layers of the assembly 12 comprises a web 28 of meshes 30 formed by first structural fibers 26, each of said webs 28 of meshes 30 extending and elastically deformable in the plane (X, Y) of the corresponding main layer 14, 16. According to a variant not shown, one of the main layers 14, 16 does not comprise such a web of meshes, but nevertheless exhibits elastic deformability in the second direction X and / or in the third direction y.

[0050] Preferably, as in the embodiment shown, the meshes 30 of the webs 28 of the first main layer 14 and of the second main layer 16 are substantially identical. More preferably, as in the embodiment shown, the webs 28 of the first main layer 14 and of the second main layer 16 are arranged substantially mirrored by a translation in the first direction Z. According to a variant that is not shown, the meshes of the first main layer 14 and of the second main layer 16 are different from each other.

[0051] Preferably, both the first main layer 14 and the second main layer 16 have a thickness of 50 g / m 2 With 200g / m 2 The grammage and thickness of the first main layer 14 and the second main layer 16 are similar or different.

[0052] The spacer 18 of the assembly 12 includes a plurality of second fibers 36. Each of the second fibers 36 extends between first and second ends, the first and second ends being attached to the first and second main layers 14, 16, respectively.

[0053] For example, Figure 1 As shown, for one of the second fibers 36, each of the second fibers 36 includes: a first end branch 40 and a second end branch 42, adjacent to the first end and the second end, respectively; and a central portion 44. Each of the first end branch 40 and the second end branch 42 is mixed with the first structural fiber 26 of the first main layer 14 and the second main layer 16, respectively.

[0054] The central portion 44 of the second fibers 36 is arranged between the first main layer 14 and the second main layer 16 , thereby forming the spacer 18 .

[0055] Preferably, each of the second fibers 36 is arranged in a U-shape in a plane parallel to the first direction Z. The first end branch 40 and the second end branch 42 of the second fiber extend substantially parallel to each other. Thus, the central portion 44 is curved, exerting a force tending to move the first main layer 14 and the second main layer 16 apart.

[0056] More preferably, if Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the second fibers 36 are arranged in a U-shape in a plane that is substantially parallel to each other and parallel to Z. Thus, each of the second fibers 36 contributes to applying a uniform force to pull the first main layer 14 and the second main layer 16 apart.

[0057] Preferably, the spacer 18 has a thickness 38 along Z of between 0.5 mm and 50 mm. More preferably, said thickness 38 is between 0.5 mm and 10 mm.

[0058] In one embodiment, the second fibers 36 of the spacer 18 include polyolefin fibers, such as PP, PE, or PET. Optionally, the PP, PE, or PET fibers may be bio-sourced or recycled.

[0059] In one embodiment, the second fibers 36 of the spacer 18 include fibers selected from natural fibers or polylactic acid fibers. Preferably, the natural fibers are selected from flax, hemp, kenaf, coconut shell fibers, sisal and jute fibers. Alternatively, the second fibers 36 include natural-based artificial fibers, such as wood-based viscose fibers and their derivatives.

[0060] The second fibers 36 of the spacer 18 comprise a percentage of natural fibers, preferably between 2% and 40%, more preferably between 20% and 45%, even more preferably close to 30%. According to one embodiment, the first structural fibers 26 of the first main layer 14 and / or the second main layer 16 and / or the second fibers 36 of the spacer 18 comprise between 2% and 100% by weight of natural fibers, relative to the total weight of the first structural fibers 26 and the second structural fibers 36.

[0061] In the embodiment shown, the cover layer 20 forms the outer surface of the decorative element 10. The cover layer 20 comprises one or more base layers, for example comprising one or more materials selected from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

[0062] In the embodiment shown, the intermediate layer 22 is arranged between the cover layer 20 and the first main layer 14 of the assembly 12 .

[0063] The intermediate layer 22 comprises, for example, a woven or nonwoven mat of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polylactic acid (PLA) fibers.

[0064] In the embodiment shown, the interface layer 24 is arranged in contact with the second main layer 16 of the assembly 12. In particular, the interface layer 24 is intended to be in contact with a support (not shown) coated with the decorative element 10.

[0065] The interface layer 24 comprises, for example, a mat of natural fibers and / or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers, preferably nonwoven, preferably recycled.

[0066] Preferably, each of the cover layer 20 , the intermediate layer 22 and the interface layer 24 is elastically deformable in the second direction x and / or the third direction y.

[0067] For example, the trim element 10 is used to line the interior of a vehicle, such as a motor vehicle. The trim element 10 is advantageously used to line equipment parts that are three-dimensionally embossed, such as seat armrests. The elastic deformability of the assembly 12 enables the trim element 10 to closely conform to the shape of each corresponding piece of equipment, thereby creating an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

[0068] The presence of the spacers 18 makes it possible to obtain the desired thickness while reducing the weight of the trim element 10 and making it soft to the touch.

[0069] The additional layers 20 , 22 , 24 , in particular the cover layer 20 , achieve the desired appearance and texture of the trim element 10 .

Claims

1. A decorative element (10) comprising a component (12), the component comprising: a first main layer (14) and a second main layer (16), each of the first main layer and the second main layer (14, 16) comprising a first structural fiber (26); and a spacer (18) disposed between the first main layer and the second main layer (14, 16) along a first direction (Z); The decorative element (10, 12) is characterized in that: - at least one of the first and second main layers (14, 16) comprises a web (28) of meshes (30) formed by the first structural fibers (26), the web (28) of meshes (30) extending in a second (X) and a third (Y) direction perpendicular to the first direction (Z), the web (28) of meshes (30) being elastically deformable in the second (X) and / or the third (Y) direction; and The spacer (18) comprises a plurality of second fibers (36), each of the second fibers (36) extending between a first end and a second end, the first end and the second end being attached to the first main layer (14) and the second main layer (16), respectively.

2. The decorative element (10) according to claim 1, wherein each of the second fibers (36) comprises: first (40) and second (42) end branches, adjacent to the first end and the second end of the second fiber, respectively; and a central portion (44); Each of the first end branch and the second end branch is intermixed with the first structural fibers (26) of the first main layer (14) and the second main layer (16), respectively; The central portion (44) of the second fibers is arranged between the first main layer and the second main layer, thereby forming the spacer (18).

3. The decorative element (10) according to claim 2, wherein the first (40) end branch and the second (42) end branch of each second fiber extend substantially parallel to each other and the central portion (44) is curved.

4. The decorative element (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mesh (28) of the mesh (30) is configured such that each mesh (30) of the mesh (28) comprises: a rim (32) formed by said first structural fibers (26); and a central opening (34) surrounded by the sides (32).

5. The decorative element (10) according to claim 2, wherein each side (32) of the mesh (30) of the net (28) is formed by a plurality of first structural fibers (26).

6. Decorative element (10) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the mesh (28) of the mesh (30) is configured such that each mesh (30) of the mesh (28) substantially forms a polygon having a number of sides (32) greater than or equal to four.

7. Decorative element (10) according to claim 6, wherein the web (28) of the mesh (30) is configured such that each mesh (30) of the web substantially forms a hexagon.

8. The decorative element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the first main layer (14) and the second main layer (16) comprises a web (28) of meshes (30) formed by the first structural fibers (26), each of the webs (28) of meshes (30) extending in the second (X) and / or the third (Y) direction and being elastically deformable.

9. Decorative element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one additional layer (20, 22, 24) in contact with at least one of the first main layer (14) and the second main layer (16).

10. The decorative element (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first structural fibers (26) of the first main layer (14) and / or the second main layer (16) and / or the second fibers (36) of the spacer (18) comprise natural fibers, preferably selected from flax, hemp, kenaf, coconut shell fiber, sisal, jute and / or natural-based artificial fibers, such as wood-based viscose fibers and their derivatives.

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