Multi-layer panel for a motor vehicle

Abstract

An integrated multilayer panel (1) includes: a decorative layer (2), a light guiding layer (5), and an in-mold electronic structure comprising: an in-mold electronic foil (6) having a substrate (7), an electrical circuit disposed on the substrate (7), the electrical circuit including a conductor path and at least one first light-emitting diode arranged to couple light into the light guiding layer (5) such that the light is guided to at least one light-transmitting window (4A) for backlighting the light-transmitting window (4A), a heating element, and a touch sensor. The multilayer panel (1) is radar-transparent in the region of the first light-transmitting window (4A).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an integrated multi-layer panel for motor vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] This type of multi-layer panel, which can be installed inside motor vehicles, is known from practice. Multi-layer panels have...

[0003] - A decorative layer having a front side and an opposite rear side, as well as a first light transmission window and a second light transmission window;

[0004] - An optically transparent plastic layer having a front surface facing the back of the decorative layer and a rear surface opposite to the front surface;

[0005] - A first in-mold electronic structure, disposed on the back surface of the plastic layer and comprising the following components:

[0006] - A first in-mold electronic foil having a first substrate having a front side portion facing the rear surface of a plastic layer and a rear side portion opposite to the front side portion.

[0007] - A first electrical circuit disposed on a first substrate, the first electrical circuit including a conductor path and at least one first light-emitting diode disposed on the front side of the first substrate, the first light-emitting diode having a first light-emitting point embedded in a plastic layer for coupling light into the plastic layer, such that the coupled light leaves the plastic layer at a first light transmission window opposite to the first light-emitting point and passes through the first light transmission window to provide backlight illumination to the first light transmission window.

[0008] - A second in-mold electronic structure, arranged on the front surface of the plastic layer, and comprising the following components:

[0009] - A second in-mold electronic foil, having a second substrate having a rear side portion facing the front surface of the plastic layer and a front side portion opposite to the rear side portion.

[0010] - A second electrical circuit disposed on a second substrate, the second electrical circuit including a conductor path and at least one additional light-emitting diode (LED), the at least one additional LED embedded in a plastic layer behind an additional light-transmitting window, such that light emitted by the additional LED passes through the additional light-transmitting window to provide backlight illumination to the additional light-transmitting window; and

[0011] - Touch sensor.

[0012] The combination of decorative layers, plastic layers, and in-mold electronics allows multilayer panels to require minimal installation space and be easily installed and removed from vehicles as flat, integrated components. However, a known drawback of multilayer panels is that in applications where a section of the panel is positioned within the radar beam path, the section through which the radar beam passes cannot be backlit due to the interaction between the LEDs and radar radiation. However, it is advantageous, particularly in the case of multilayer panels positioned in the center of the front of the vehicle and featuring a company logo in the middle of its front side, that the logo is backlit in the dark. However, radar antennas for distance sensors are often also positioned in the center of the front of the vehicle, typically behind the company logo.

[0013] US 9 741 700 B2 also discloses a multi-layer panel for lighting vehicles, which has the following features:

[0014] - A reflective plastic layer with a reflective surface.

[0015] - An optically transparent plastic layer arranged on top of the reflective plastic layer,

[0016] - A transparent decorative film made of plastic, which is arranged on top of an optical plastic layer and has a lower surface facing the reflective surface.

[0017] - A chip-on-film (COF) structure formed on the lower surface of a transparent decorative film.

[0018] -The COF structure includes an array of multiple light-emitting units, each of which includes a base and a light-emitting diode.

[0019] -The base includes a concave surface opposite to the reflective surface.

[0020] -The LED is positioned in the central region of the concave surface of the base.

[0021] - Each LED in the light-emitting unit is designed to emit a beam of light, which is directed onto a reflective surface and, after reflection at the reflective surface, exits from the laminated vehicle part through a transparent plastic layer and a transparent electrode film layer.

[0022] - Laminated vehicle parts do not include printed circuit boards disposed beneath the reflective plastic layer.

[0023] Because the light beam emitted by the LEDs in this vehicle part only exits indirectly after being reflected from the reflective plastic layer, the main cause of hot spot phenomena is eliminated. However, a drawback is that while sections of the decorative layer arranged in orthogonal projections on the surface spanned by the decorative layers between the light-emitting units can be backlit, sections of the decorative layer containing the light-emitting units cannot. This leads to certain limitations when backlighting the decorative layer.

[0024] A multilayer panel is also known from US 9,741,700 B2, in which a printed circuit board is disposed beneath a reflective plastic layer, and light-emitting units are arranged on the printed circuit board such that some of the light beams emitted by the light-emitting units exit directly from the laminated vehicle part through a transparent plastic layer and a transparent electrode film layer. Another portion of the light beam emitted by the light-emitting units is directed toward a reflective surface, and after reflection on this surface, exits from the laminated vehicle part through the transparent plastic layer and an optical film disposed on this layer. Because this vehicle part strongly attenuates the radar beam passing through it, it is practically unsuitable for applications where it is positioned within the radar beam of a ranging radar. Summary of the Invention

[0025] The object of this invention is to create an integrated multilayer panel of the type mentioned at the beginning, having a robust design, low weight, and at least one section that is substantially transparent to radar radiation, wherein at least some areas of this section can be backlit. Furthermore, the multilayer panel should enable the formation of frost-related deposits that attenuate radar beams to be largely avoided on the substantially radar-transparent section. Moreover, the multilayer panel should have at least one additional function.

[0026] This task is solved by the features of claim 1. These features specify that the vehicle part has an integrated multi-layer panel, the multi-layer panel comprising the following components:

[0027] - A decorative layer made of plastic, the decorative layer having at least one opaque area and at least one first light-transmitting window, the decorative layer having a front side and a rear side opposite to the front side.

[0028] - A light-guiding layer made of plastic material, having a front surface facing the back of the decorative layer and a rear surface opposite to the front surface.

[0029] - In-mold electronic structure, which is disposed on the back surface of the light guiding layer and includes the following components:

[0030] - An in-mold electronic foil, the in-mold electronic foil having at least one substrate, the substrate having a front side portion facing the rear surface of the light guiding layer and a rear side portion opposite to the front side portion.

[0031] - An electrical circuit disposed on a substrate, the electrical circuit including a conductor path and at least one first light-emitting diode disposed on the front side of the substrate, the first light-emitting diode having a first light-emitting point disposed behind an opaque area of ​​a decorative layer, the first light-emitting point being embedded in a light-guiding layer to couple light into the light-guiding layer, such that the coupled light is guided within the light-guiding layer to at least one first deflection region, at the first deflection region, the light is deflected toward at least one first light-transmitting window of the decorative layer such that it exits the light-guiding layer at the at least one first light-transmitting window and passes through the at least one first light-transmitting window to provide backlight illumination to the first light-transmitting window.

[0032] - At least one planar electric heating element, and

[0033] -At least one touch sensor,

[0034] The decorative layer, light guiding layer, and in-mold electronic foil are radar-transparent, and the heating element is radar-transparent in at least some areas. The heating element is arranged such that when viewed from the front of the decorative layer, a first light transmission window overlaps with the surface spanned by the heating element in a first multilayer panel section. Electrical circuitry is arranged in a second multilayer panel section, which is disposed outside the first multilayer panel section. In a top view of the surface spanned by the substrate of the in-mold electronic foil, at least one touch sensor is arranged outside the heating element. The decorative layer, light guiding layer, and in-mold electronic foil are bonded to each other by material bonding.

[0035] Light coupled from the first light-emitting diode into the light guide can illuminate one or more first light-transmitting windows. At least one first light-transmitting window can also be illuminated using light coupled from multiple LEDs into the light guide. The front side of the decorative layer is understood as the side facing the observer when the integrated multilayer panel is used as intended.

[0036] Advantageously, at least one first light-emitting diode (LED) is arranged behind an opaque area of ​​the decorative layer, thereby preventing light emitted by the first LED from directly radiating into the light transmission window and causing associated hot spots. The at least one light source is preferably designed as a semiconductor light source, particularly an LED.

[0037] Advantageously, due to the material bonding of the decorative layer, light-guiding layer, and in-mold electronic foil (which are preferably thermally bonded together), this multilayer panel achieves a one-piece design, smaller installation space, and simple one-piece replacement. The provision of heating elements for heating the first multilayer panel section, which is substantially transparent to radar radiation, allows for simple heating of the first multilayer panel section. This prevents ice and / or snow from adhering to the first multilayer panel section, especially in cold seasons. The multilayer panel can be integrated into the decorative layer and / or the in-mold electronic foil.

[0038] The multi-layer panel achieves at least one additional function thanks to at least one touch sensor (preferably designed as a capacitive sensor). This can be used, for example, to open and / or close the front trunk, check the battery's charging status, display the temperature inside the vehicle, or trigger other similar functions. Since at least one touch sensor is positioned outside the heating element in a top view of the surface spanned by the substrate of the in-mold electronics structure, interaction between the radar beam and the touch sensor is avoided. The touch sensor can be integrated into the decorative layer and / or the in-mold electronics foil.

[0039] Light coupled to the light guiding layer by at least one first light-emitting diode is guided to a first deflection region within the light guiding layer in a known manner, preferably by total internal reflection at the front and / or rear surfaces of the light guiding layer 5.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the decorative layer has a decorative layer film made of plastic, which is coated with a masking layer designed to be black in at least one opaque area. In a first light-transmitting area, the masking layer may be designed to be colored and have a perforated surface through which light can pass. In the first light-transmitting area, the masking layer may be designed to be a translucent layer with a metallized or metallic appearance. Furthermore, the masking layer in the first light-transmitting area may contain at least one special ink that produces a small or no color shift. The decorative layer may be diffuse. The first masking layer may be designed to be a semi-transparent, preferably white layer in at least one first light-transmitting window. When manufacturing a multilayer panel, the masking layer may preferably be made of white and black ink, which is printed onto the decorative layer film, particularly by screen printing, or applied to the decorative layer film in some other way. The decorative layer film can be made of polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or can be a laminate of at least two layers made of different materials among these. The decorative layer film can be thermoformable.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the decorative layer has a hard coating paint or polyurethane (PUR) layer as a protective layer on its front side and / or the in-mold electronic structure has a hard coating paint or polyurethane (PUR) layer as a protective layer on its rear side away from the light guiding layer. The protective layers are scratch-resistant. Therefore, the protective layer on the front of the decorative layer reduces the risk of particles impacting this protective layer colliding with the decorative layer behind it. Similarly, the protective layer on the back of the in-mold electronic structure reduces the risk of particles impacting this protective layer colliding with the layer of the in-mold electronic structure located between it and the light guiding layer. Furthermore, the protective layer also protects the decorative layer and the in-mold electronic structure from other environmental influences. The protective layer is preferably designed to be transparent and optically translucent. The polyurethane (PUR) layer may also be colored.

[0042] Advantageously, the decorative layer has at least one color layer disposed outside at least one light-transmitting window between the hard coating paint or polyurethane layer and the masking layer. Using such a color layer, the color of the decorative layer can be easily matched to the color of adjacent vehicle components. This is particularly advantageous if the multi-layer panel is to be fitted to the front or rear of the vehicle, allowing the color of the decorative layer to be matched to the paint color of the vehicle body. Integrated multi-layer panels can comprise a single-color layer or multiple color layers of different colors.

[0043] Preferably, the decorative layer film and / or substrate of the in-mold electronic foil has a thickness between 250 μm and 2000 μm. This enables the realization of small size and low weight of multilayer panels.

[0044] In one practical embodiment, the light guiding layer is specified to have a front boundary layer on its front surface and a rear boundary layer on its rear surface, each boundary layer being composed of a first optically transparent material, and the light guiding layer having a central layer between these boundary layers, the central layer being composed of an optically transparent material having a higher refractive index than the boundary layers. As a result, light coupled into the light guiding layer from the first light emitter is guided by total internal reflection in the light guiding layer.

[0045] Advantageously, the light guiding layer has a first encapsulation layer between the front boundary layer and the central layer, and a second encapsulation layer between the rear boundary layer and the core layer. When manufacturing a multilayer panel by overmolding a decorative layer and in-mold electronic structure with the light guiding layer, it is essential to protect the individual layers previously applied to the decorative layer film, namely the ink layer and the in-mold electronic foil, from erosion and damage during the molding process. To make this possible, the first encapsulation layer is applied to the side of the decorative layer film facing the light guiding layer after the overmolding process, before the decorative film is overmolded together with the light guiding layer as the final layer of the decorative layer film. The encapsulation layer can be applied locally, only where needed (especially sensitive electronic components), only over certain large areas, or over the entire light guiding layer.

[0046] Similarly, before and after the overmolding process, the second encapsulation layer is applied as the final layer of the in-mold electronic structure to the side of the in-mold electronic structure facing the light-guiding layer. If the multilayer panel has at least one polyurethane (PUR) layer as a protective layer, this can be produced within the same cycle time as the light-guiding layer during the overmolding process. Alternatively, the decorative layer and the in-mold electronic structure can be overmolded sequentially with the light-guiding layer. If at least two cavities exist for two integrated multilayer panels, the light-guiding layer and the PUR layer can be molded simultaneously. In the case of molding an integrated multilayer panel with plastic, a second integrated multilayer panel already molded with plastic can be overmolded with PUR.

[0047] If necessary, a third encapsulation layer can be disposed between the semi-transparent layer and the polyurethane layer disposed on the front side of the decorative layer. If the decorative layer has the aforementioned color layer between the polyurethane layer and the masking layer, the material thickness of the third encapsulation layer is preferably selected such that the surfaces of the printed layer and the third encapsulation layer facing away from the light-guiding layer are continuously adjacent to each other. The third encapsulation layer can be applied locally to the decorative layer, only to certain large areas, or applied to the entire decorative layer. The third encapsulation layer may be present on the outer side of the decorative layer where there is ink. It should also appear where the color layer is located.

[0048] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the in-mold electronic structure is provided with at least one second light-emitting diode (LED), which is disposed on the front side of the in-mold electronic foil and has a second light-emitting point. The second light-emitting point is disposed behind at least one opaque area of ​​the decorative layer and embedded in the light-guiding layer, such that light is coupled into the light-guiding layer. The coupled light is guided within the light-guiding layer to at least one second deflection region, where the light is deflected toward at least one second light-transmitting window of the decorative layer panel segment, such that the light leaves the light-guiding layer at the at least one second light-transmitting window and passes through the at least one second light-transmitting window to backlight the at least one second light-transmitting window, which is disposed in a second multilayer panel segment. The light coupled into the guiding layer by the at least one second LED is guided within the light-guiding layer to the first deflection region in a known manner, preferably by total internal reflection at the front and / or rear surfaces of the light-guiding layer 5. Typically, the LED will illuminate more than one "strip" of the light-transmitting window, and it will also illuminate the light-transmitting windows above and below its own light-transmitting window. However, some light animation can be achieved in such an arrangement. LEDs can be monochrome LEDs or multicolor LEDs, especially RGB LEDs.

[0049] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one first light-emitting diode, at least one second light-emitting diode, and / or at least one third light-emitting diode are enclosed between a substrate and a package tightly connected to the substrate or a layer stack disposed below the first, second, or third light-emitting diode. The package is embedded in a light-guiding layer such that the light-emitting diodes are spaced apart from the light-guiding layer by the package, and the package is at least partially transparent to the light from the light-emitting diodes to couple the light into the light-guiding layer. During the manufacture of the multilayer panel, when the light-guiding layer is applied to the substrate by injection molding in an injection mold, the package protects at least one light-emitting diode from direct contact with the hot melt. This reduces the heat input to the thermistor light-emitting diode.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reflective layer is integrated into an intramural electronic structure having a first reflective layer segment and a second reflective layer segment, wherein the first reflective layer segment has a different optical reflectivity than the second reflective layer segment. This measure minimizes crosstalk between different light transmission windows to be backlit.

[0051] Advantageously, the second multilayer panel segment has at least one third light-transmitting window and at least one third light-emitting diode (LED). The at least one third LED is arranged on an in-mold electronic film, behind the third light-transmitting window or behind the boundary region of at least one opaque area adjacent to the light-transmitting window in the decorative layer. This allows light from the at least one third LED to be emitted laterally across the surface covered by the second reflective layer segment, through the light guiding layer and the third light-transmitting window, to directly backlight the third light-transmitting window. This can achieve additional lighting effects. At least one first LED and / or at least one second LED and / or at least one third LED can be designed as multi-color LEDs, particularly RGB LEDs.

[0052] The in-mold electronic structure may have a light-scattering layer, preferably a white layer, at the first deflection region. During the production of the in-mold electronic foil, this layer can be easily applied to the front side of the boundary layer by screen printing.

[0053] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least one light-scattering layer in the first deflection region has a dot pattern with a dot gradient, the density of which increases with distance from the first light-emitting diode (LED), allowing light to be directed from the LED to the light-scattering layer. This enables uniform illumination of the light emission window. Possibly, the light-scattering layer has several light-scattering layer segments arranged at different distances from the first LED, each segment deflecting light from the same LED and directing it towards the light transmission window associated with that segment. The gradient within each light-scattering layer segment can be constant, and the gradients of the segments arranged at different distances from the LED can be different. However, the gradient within a single light-scattering layer segment may also vary depending on the distance between the corresponding position of the segment and the LED. This is particularly advantageous in the case of large adjacent light-scattering layer segments. The dots in the dot pattern can be created using screen printing. They can have a diameter of approximately 0.2 mm to 0.6 mm.

[0054] In a further development of the invention, the in-mold electronic foil extends only over a first portion region of the multilayer panel, wherein a light-guiding foil is disposed in at least one second portion region of the multilayer panel adjacent to the first portion region as an extension of the in-mold electronic foil, wherein the light-conducting film is preferably designed as a single piece together with the substrate. The light-guiding foil is preferably flush with the in-mold electronic foil.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the heating element has a plurality of heating conductors and / or heating conductor segments made of a resistive material, and the heating conductors and / or heating conductor segments are spaced apart from each other by gaps in a top view of the surface spanned by the heating element. The gaps are preferably sized such that radar beams used for distance measurement can pass through the gaps without interference. The heating element can be applied to the in-mold electronic foil by screen printing silver or carbon-based ink. Attached Figure Description

[0056] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherein:

[0057] Figure 1 A perspective view of a multi-layered panel for a motor vehicle is shown, the panel having several flat components thermoplastically welded together.

[0058] Figure 2 and Figure 1 Similarly, but the components of the multi-layered panel are shown separately to make the accompanying drawings clearer and easier to read.

[0059] Figure 3 A front view of the in-mold electronic structure and light-guiding film of the multilayer panel is shown.

[0060] Figure 4A partial cross-section through the multi-layer panel is shown.

[0061] Figure 5 A top view of the front of the in-mold electronic structure is shown, illustrating its state before installation in the multilayer panel.

[0062] Figure 6 Another partial cross-section through the multi-layered panel is shown, with... Figure 4 The partial cross-section shown is magnified, and the layer thickness is not shown to scale for better clarity and readability of the figures. Furthermore, the details of this partial cross-section are magnified within a window.

[0063] Figure 7 This is a top view of the rear side of the in-mold electronic structure, showing its state before being mounted into the multilayer panel, and...

[0064] Figure 8 and Figure 9 The image shows a partial cross-section through a multilayer board, illustrating various designs for transmitting light from a light-emitting diode through a light-conducting layer to a light-transmitting window. Detailed Implementation

[0065] An integrated multi-layer panel designed for installation in the front or rear area of ​​a motor vehicle, Figure 1 The whole is marked as 1, which has a decorative layer 2, which has a front side and a rear side opposite to the front side. The decorative layer 2 has an opaque area 3, which, when viewed from the front of the decorative layer 2, is adjacent to or surrounds a first light transmission window 4A and a plurality of second light transmission windows 4B.

[0066] As in Figure 2 As can be seen, the multilayer panel 1 also has an optical light guiding layer 5, which has a front surface facing the rear side of the decorative layer 1 and a rear surface opposite to the front surface. The light guiding layer 5 is made of plastic, namely polycarbonate. The light guiding layer 5 is bonded to the decorative layer 2.

[0067] Furthermore, the multilayer panel 1 integrates an in-mold electronic structure, which is arranged on the rear surface of the light guiding layer 5. Figure 2 and Figure 3 It is applied to the light guiding layer 5 and integrated thereon. For example, in... Figure 3 and Figure 4 As can be seen, the in-mold electronic structure has an in-mold electronic film 6, which includes a substrate 7. The substrate 7 has a front side portion facing the rear surface of the light guiding layer 5 and a rear side portion opposite to the front side portion.

[0068] The substrate 7 may be made of polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or a laminate having at least two layers made of different materials among these. The in-mold electronic film 6 has a thickness between 250 μm and 700 μm.

[0069] An electrical circuit is arranged on the in-mold electronic film 6. This electrical circuit has conductor paths (not shown in detail) and multiple first light-emitting diodes 8A, second light-emitting diodes 8B, and third light-emitting diodes 8C connected thereto. The conductor paths are connected to electrical pins 29 arranged on the in-mold electronic film 6. Pins 6 are capable of transmitting current to an external control device. Pins 6 interact with a connector housing (not shown in detail in the figures).

[0070] Each of the first light-emitting diodes 8A has a first light-emitting point 9 arranged behind the opaque region 3. Figure 6 A first light emission point 9 is embedded in the light-conducting layer 5 to couple light into the light-conducting layer 5, such that the coupled light is guided in the light-conducting layer 5 to a first deflection region 10 disposed in the light-conducting layer 5 through total internal reflection on its front and / or rear surfaces. The first deflection region 10 is formed of a white layer. Figure 6 In the example, the corresponding light beam 11 is marked with a dashed line. At the first deflection region 10, at least a portion of the light will be deflected toward the first light transmission window 4A of the decorative layer 2, so that it leaves the light guiding layer 5 and passes through the first light transmission window 4A to backlight it.

[0071] Correspondingly, each of the second light-emitting diodes 8B has a second light-emitting point, which is arranged behind the opaque area 3 and is not shown in detail in the figure. This second light-emitting point is embedded in the light-guiding layer 5 for coupling light into the light-guiding layer 5. The coupled light is guided in the light-guiding layer 5 to a second deflection region, which is also not shown in detail in the figure, through total internal reflection on its front and / or rear surfaces. At the second deflection region, the light is deflected toward the second light-transmitting window 4B of the decorative layer 2, causing the light to leave the light-guiding layer 5 and pass through the second light-transmitting window 4B for backlighting.

[0072] The integrated multilayer panel also features a third light-emitting diode 8C, which is arranged on the in-mold electronic film 6 such that it emits light into the light guiding layer 5 transversely to the surface spanned by the in-mold electronic film 6.

[0073] The multilayer panel 1 also includes an electric heating element 12, which is designed to be radar-transparent in at least some areas. The heating element 12 is arranged such that, when viewed from the front of the decorative layer 5, the area covered by the first light-transmitting window 4A and the heating element 12 overlaps in the first multilayer panel segment 13. (As shown in...) Figure 1 As can be seen, when viewed from the front of the decorative layer 2, the first multi-layer panel section 13 is arranged in the central area of ​​the multi-layer panel 1, preferably approximately in the center.

[0074] The decorative layer 2, light guiding layer 5, and in-mold electronic film 6 are transparent to the radar beam. Therefore, the first multilayer panel section 13 is adapted to be penetrated by a radar beam from a distance measuring device disposed behind the multilayer panel section 13, which is not shown in detail in the accompanying drawings. The radar beam is emitted by a radar antenna (not shown in detail), penetrates the first multilayer panel section, and is then reflected by an obstacle, the distance of which to the radar antenna needs to be measured. The resulting echo of the radar beam passes through the first multilayer panel section to reach the radar antenna for reception.

[0075] At cold external temperatures, the first multilayer panel section 13 can be heated by means of the heating element 12, so that no ice will be deposited on the first multilayer panel section 13, as ice would absorb radar beams.

[0076] As in Figure 7 As can be seen, the heating element 12 has several parallel and continuous heat conductor segments 14, which are arranged on the back of the substrate 7 of the in-mold electronic film 6. The heating conductor segments 15 contain silver particles or carbon particles, which are applied to the substrate 7 by screen printing during the manufacture of the multilayer panel 1.

[0077] In a top view of the surface spanned by the first multilayer panel segment 13, the conductor segments 15 are spaced apart from each other transversely to their extension direction by gaps. The gaps are sized to be transparent to radar radiation. Conductor paths for supplying power to the heating element 12 are arranged in the second multilayer panel segment on the substrate 7.

[0078] Figure 5 The multi-layer panel 1 is also shown to have a capacitive touch sensor 16. The touch sensor 16 is designed to trigger electrical functions of a motor vehicle, such as actuators for actuating the front trunk lid.

[0079] In an orthogonal projection onto the surface spanned by the heating element 12, this surface overlaps with the first light-transmitting window 4. To ensure that the radar transparency of the first multilayer panel section 13 is not impaired by the touch sensor 16 or the electrical circuitry including the light-emitting diodes 8A and 8B, the touch sensor 15 and the electrical circuitry are arranged in the second multilayer panel section 16. Figure 1In the second multi-layer panel section 16 () Figure 1 It is located outside the first multi-layer panel section 13. Figure 7 A top view shows a touch sensor 15 arranged outside a heating element 12 on a surface spanned by a substrate with an in-mold electronic structure.

[0080] Figure 6 The decorative layer 2 is shown to have a decorative layer film 17 made of plastic, which is coated with a masking layer. This masking layer is designed as a black layer 18 in at least one opaque region 3 and as a semi-transparent layer 19, preferably white, in at least one first light transmission window 4A. The masking layer is disposed on the front side of the decorative layer film 17 away from the light guiding layer 5. The decorative layer film 17 may be made of at least two layers of a laminate made of polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or a combination of these materials. The thickness of the decorative layer film can range from 250 μm to 700 μm.

[0081] A colored layer 20 is coated on the front side of the decorative layer 2 outside the first light transmission window. The polyurethane layer 21 is the frontmost layer of the multilayer board 1, and it is arranged on the multilayer board 1 as a protective layer.

[0082] The light guiding layer 5 has a front boundary layer 22A on its front surface and a rear boundary layer 22B on its rear surface, each of the rear boundary layers being composed of a first optically transparent material. Between these boundary layers 22A and 22B, the light guiding layer 5 has a central layer 23, which is composed of an optically transparent material having a higher optical refractive index than the boundary layers 22A and 22B.

[0083] A white reflective layer 24 is disposed in the section between the front boundary layer 22A and the central layer 23. A first encapsulation layer 25A is disposed between the front boundary layer 22A and the central layer 23, and a second encapsulation layer 25B is disposed between the rear boundary layer 22B and the central layer 23. A third encapsulation layer 25C is disposed between the semi-transparent layer 19 of the first light transmission window 4A and the polyurethane layer 21.

[0084] As in Figure 6 As can be seen, the reflective layer is integrated into the in-mold electronic foil 6, which has a first reflective layer section 26 and a second reflective layer section 27. The first reflective layer section 26 has a different optical reflectivity than the second reflective layer section 27. The first reflective layer section 26 is black, and the second reflective layer section 27 is white.

[0085] The first deflection region 10 is designed as a light-scattering white layer, which is applied to the back boundary layer 22B on the side facing the central layer 23 and embedded flush with the surface of the second encapsulation layer 25B.

[0086] As in Figure 3 and Figure 4 As can be seen, the in-mold electronic foil 6 extends only over a portion of the multilayer panel 1. In a portion of the multilayer panel 1 adjacent to this portion, a light guiding film 28 is disposed within the extension of the substrate 7 of the in-mold electronic foil 6, which is as seamlessly adjacent to the substrate 7 as possible. The light guiding film 28 may have at least one optical layer and / or at least one protective layer. It may be made of the same material as the substrate 7. In this case, the in-mold electronic foil 6 and the light guiding film 28 are separate. However, they do not necessarily have to be separate; they can be composed of a single component and have both functions.

[0087] It should also be mentioned that the fourth encapsulation layer 25D, which is the last layer of the multilayer panel 1, is arranged on the rear side of the light guiding layer 5 on the light guiding film 28 away from the in-mold electronic structure.

[0088] exist Figure 8 In the illustrated embodiment, two second light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 8B are arranged on the front side of the substrate 7 of the in-mold electronic foil 6 in the second multilayer panel section 16. Each LED 8B is enclosed between the substrate 7 and a partially or fully transparent encapsulation 30 associated with the corresponding LED 8B. The encapsulation 30 is tightly connected to the substrate 7 and embedded in the light guiding layer 5. The LEDs 8B are molded into the material of the encapsulation 30 such that the LEDs 8B are spaced apart from the central portion 25 by the material of the encapsulation 30.

[0089] As from Figure 8 It can be seen that each of the second light-emitting diodes 8B is located behind the boundary region of at least one opaque region 3 adjacent to the second light transmission window 4B, so that the light beam 11' from the second light-emitting diode 8B can be emitted laterally across the surface covered by the in-mold electronic film 6, through the light guiding layer 5 and the second light transmission window 4B, so as to directly backlight it.

[0090] On the rear side of the black layer 18, adjacent to the second light transmission window 4B, is a white reflective layer 24. A light beam 11 emitted by the second light-emitting diode 8B, illuminating the white reflective layer 24, is reflected onto a white reflective layer 27, which is disposed behind the second light transmission window 4B on the front side of the substrate 7. From there, the light beam 11 is reflected back to the second light transmission window 4B, where it exits the light guiding layer 5.

[0091] Figure 8 It is also shown that the package 30 is transparent on the side facing the white reflective layer 27 and / or the opposite second light-emitting diode 8B. On the side facing away from the transparent side, the package 30 has an opaque coating 31.

[0092] exist Figure 9 In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of third light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 8C are arranged behind a third light-transmitting window 4C in the second multilayer panel section 16. The third LEDs 8C are arranged in the light-guiding layer 5 and spaced apart from it by a common package 30. The package 28 may be transparent and may optionally have a light-scattering white layer 32 coated on its outer side facing the light-guiding layer 5. The light beam emitted by the third LEDs is directly guided to the third light-transmitting window 4C and exits from the light-guiding layer 5 at that point. A semi-transparent light-scattering white layer 19 is arranged at the light exit point. At this layer, the light beam 11” is scattered as it exits the light-guiding layer 5.

[0093] List of reference numerals

[0094] 1. Multi-layer panel

[0095] 2 Decorative layer

[0096] 3 Opaque areas

[0097] 4A First light transmission window

[0098] 4B Second light transmission window

[0099] 4C Third Light Transmission Window

[0100] 5. Light guiding layer

[0101] 6. In-mold electronic foil

[0102] 7 substrate

[0103] 8A First Light Emitting Diode

[0104] 8B Second Light Emitting Diode

[0105] 8C Third Light Emitting Diode

[0106] 9 First light emission point

[0107] 10 First deflection region

[0108] 11 beams

[0109] 11' beam

[0110] 11" beam

[0111] 12 Heating elements

[0112] 13 First multi-layer panel section

[0113] 14 Heating conductor section

[0114] 15 Touch Sensors

[0115] 16 Second multi-layer panel section

[0116] 17 Decorative foil layers

[0117] 18 Black Layers

[0118] 19 Semi-permeable layer

[0119] 20 color layers

[0120] 21. Polyurethane layer

[0121] 22A Forward Boundary Layer

[0122] 22B Back Boundary Layer

[0123] 23. Central level

[0124] 24 White reflective layer

[0125] 25A First Packaging Layer

[0126] 25B Second Encapsulation Layer

[0127] 25C Third Packaging Layer

[0128] 25D fourth encapsulation layer

[0129] 26 First reflective layer section

[0130] 27 Second reflective layer section

[0131] 28. Light guiding film

[0132] 29 electrical pins

[0133] 30 Package

[0134] 31 Opaque Coating

[0135] 32 White Layers

Claims

1. An integrated multilayer panel (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising: - A decorative layer (2) made of plastic, the decorative layer (2) having at least one opaque area and at least one first light transmission (4A) window, the decorative layer having a front side and a rear side opposite to the front side. - A light guiding layer (5) made of plastic material, the light guiding layer (5) having a front surface facing the back of the decorative layer (2) and a rear surface opposite to the front surface. - In-mold electronic structure, the in-mold electronic structure being disposed on the back surface of the light guiding layer (5) and Includes the following components: - An in-mold electronic foil (6), the in-mold electronic foil (6) having at least one substrate (7), the substrate having a front side portion facing the rear surface of the light guiding layer (5) and a rear side portion opposite to the front side portion, - An electrical circuit disposed on the substrate (7), the electrical circuit including a conductor path and at least one first light-emitting diode (8A) disposed on the front side of the substrate, the first light-emitting diode (8A) having a first light-emitting point (9) disposed behind an opaque area (3) of the decorative layer (2), the first light-emitting point (9) being embedded in the light guiding layer (5) to couple light into the light guiding layer (5) such that the coupled light is guided inside the light guiding layer (5) to at least one first deflection region (10), at the first deflection region, the light is deflected toward at least one first light transmission window (4A) of the decorative layer (2) such that it exits the light guiding layer (5) at the at least one first light transmission window (4A) and passes through the at least one first light transmission window (4A) to provide backlight illumination to the first light transmission window (4A). -At least one planar electric heating element (12), and -At least one touch sensor (15), The decorative layer (2), the light guiding layer (5), and the in-mold electronic foil (6) are radar transparent, and the heating element (12) is radar transparent in at least some areas. The heating element (12) is arranged such that when viewed from the front of the decorative layer (2), the first light transmission window (4A) overlaps with the surface spanned by the heating element (12) in a first multilayer panel section (13). The electrical circuit is arranged in a second multilayer panel section (16) which is disposed outside the first multilayer panel section (13). In a top view of the surface spanned by the substrate (7) of the in-mold electronic foil (6), at least one touch sensor (15) is arranged outside the heating element (12). The decorative layer (2), the light guiding layer (5), and the in-mold electronic foil (6) are bonded to each other by material bonding.

2. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The decorative layer (2) has a decorative layer film (17) made of plastic, the decorative layer film being coated with a masking layer, the masking layer being designed as a black layer (18) in the at least one opaque area.

3. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The decorative layer (2) has a hard coating paint or polyurethane layer (21) on its front side as a protective layer, and / or the in-mold electronic foil (6) has a hard coating paint or polyurethane layer on its rear side away from the light guiding layer (5) as a protective layer.

4. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The decorative layer (2) has at least one color layer (20) disposed outside the at least one first light transmission window (4A) between the hard coating paint or the polyurethane layer (21) and the masking layer.

5. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The light guiding layer (5) has a front boundary layer (22A) on its front surface and a rear boundary layer (22B) on its rear surface, each boundary layer being composed of a first optically transparent material, and the light guiding layer (5) has a central layer (23) between these boundary layers (22A, 22B), the central layer being composed of an optically transparent material having a higher refractive index than the boundary layers (22A, 22B).

6. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The light guiding layer (5) has a first encapsulation layer (25A) between the front side boundary layer (22A) and the central layer (23) and a second encapsulation layer (25B) between the rear side boundary layer (22B) and the central layer (23).

7. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that, The third encapsulation layer (25C) is disposed between the semi-transparent layer (19) and the hard coating paint or polyurethane layer (21) disposed on the front side of the decorative layer (2).

8. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The in-mold electronic structure has at least one second light-emitting diode (8B), which is arranged on the front side of the in-mold electronic foil (6) and has a second light-emitting point. The second light-emitting point is arranged behind at least one opaque area (3) of the decorative layer (2) and embedded in the light guiding layer (5) such that light is coupled into the light guiding layer. The coupled light is guided inside the light guiding layer (5) to at least one second deflection region. At the second deflection region, the light is deflected toward at least one second light transmission window (4B) of the second multilayer panel section (16) of the decorative layer (2) such that the light leaves the light guiding layer (5) at the at least one second light transmission window (4B) and passes through the at least one second light transmission window (4B) to backlight the at least one second light transmission window (4B). The second light transmission window (4B) is arranged in the second multilayer panel section (16).

9. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The second multilayer panel segment (13) has at least one third light transmission window (4C) and at least one third light-emitting diode (8C). The at least one third light-emitting diode (8C) is arranged on the in-mold electronic foil (6) behind the third light transmission window (4C) or behind the boundary region of at least one opaque area (3) of the decorative layer (2) adjacent to the light transmission window (4C), such that light from the at least one third light-emitting diode (8C) can be emitted laterally across the surface covered by the in-mold electronic foil (6) through the light guiding layer (5) and the third light transmission window (4C) to directly backlight the third light transmission window (4C).

10. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, At least one first light-emitting diode (8A), at least one second light-emitting diode (8B), and / or at least one third light-emitting diode (8C) are enclosed between the substrate (7) and a package (30) tightly connected to the substrate (7) or a stack of layers arranged below the first, second, or third light-emitting diodes (8A, 8B, 8C), the package (30) being embedded in the light guiding layer (5) such that the light-emitting diodes (8A, 8B, 8C) are spaced apart from the light guiding layer (5) by the package (30), and the package (30) is at least partially transparent to the light of the light-emitting diodes (8A, 8B, 8C) so as to couple the light into the light guiding layer (5).

11. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The in-mold electronic foil (6) has a reflective layer, which has a first reflective layer section and a second reflective layer section, and the first reflective layer section has an optical reflectivity different from that of the second reflective layer section.

12. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The in-mold electronic foil (6) has a light scattering layer, preferably a white layer, at at least one first deflection region (10).

13. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The light scattering layer of the at least one first deflection region (10) has a dot pattern and the dot pattern has a dot gradient, the density of which increases with the distance from the first light-emitting diode (8A), and light can be guided from the first light-emitting diode (8A) to the light scattering layer.

14. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The in-mold electronic foil (6) extends only over a first portion region of the multilayer panel (1), and the photoconductive film (28) is disposed in at least one second portion region of the multilayer panel (1) adjacent to the first portion region as an extension of the in-mold electronic foil (6), wherein the photoconductive film (28) is preferably designed as a single piece together with the substrate (7).

15. The integrated multilayer panel (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The heating element (12) includes a plurality of heating conductors and / or heating conductor segments (14) made of resistive material, and the heating conductors and / or heating conductor segments (14) are spaced apart from each other by gaps in a top view of the surface spanned by the heating element (12).

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