Decorative component and interior trim component

Abstract

Decorative component (10) for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising an at least translucent first layer (12), wherein the first layer (12) has more than one first refractive edge (18), and at least one at least translucent further layer (14; 16) laid flat on a previous layer (12; 14), wherein the further layer (14; 16) has more than one further refractive edge (22, 26), characterized in that at least a part of the refractive edges (18, 22, 26) of successive layers (12, 14;14, 16) are positioned laterally offset from each other to create an optical three-dimensional depth effect, wherein the multiple light refraction edges (18, 22, 26) of the respective layer (12, 14, 16) form a pattern (20, 24, 28) with a linearly closed contour and the patterns (20, 24, 28) of the different layers (12, 14, 16) are positioned flush on one side in the direction of the surface normals of the layers (12, 14, 16).

Description

The invention relates to a decorative component for the interior of a motor vehicle, with the help of which the interior can be visually designed, and to an interior trim part with such a decorative component. WO 2018 / 091320 A1 discloses a window pane which has pattern elements projecting from both sides of the window, which can result in moiré patterns when viewing the window pane. From DE 10 2015 104 299 A1, an interior trim part for a motor vehicle is known which can provide lighting for the interior of the motor vehicle and represents a three-dimensional moiré pattern. From DE 20 2015 104 236 U1 a decorative element is known in which layers having a positive shape and a negative shape can be provided to represent a pattern and an underlying symbol. There is a constant need to design the interior of a motor vehicle in a visually appealing way. The object of the invention is to demonstrate measures that enable a visually pleasing design of the interior of a motor vehicle. The problem is solved according to the invention by a decorative component having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims and the following description, each of which can individually or in combination represent an aspect of the invention. According to the invention, a decorative component for the interior of a motor vehicle is provided, comprising an at least translucent first layer, wherein the first layer has more than one first refractive edge, and at least one further at least translucent layer laid flat on a previous layer, wherein the further layer has more than one further refractive edge, wherein at least a part of the refractive edges of successive layers are positioned laterally offset from one another to create an optical three-dimensional depth effect, wherein the multiple refractive edges of the respective layer form a pattern with a linearly closed contour and the patterns of the different layers are positioned flush on one side in the direction of the surface normals of the layers. The refraction edges create, particularly linear, areas where the optical properties of the respective layer change abruptly. This change in optical properties can be perceived by an observer through optical light effects at the respective refraction edge. The refraction edges form a pattern-like, optically perceptible design element within the respective layer. Since the individual superimposed layers are at least translucent, and preferably essentially transparent, it is possible to perceive the optical effects of the refraction edges within each layer. This results in an optical depth impression in the decorative component.Within the plane of each layer, the refractive edges can create a two-dimensional representation. However, the interaction of these two-dimensional representations in successive layers adds a depth-related representation, resulting in an optical three-dimensional depth effect. The refractive edges within a layer and those distributed across superimposed layers can represent, or at least suggest, a three-dimensional object. Thus, the decorative element can not only optically represent a two-dimensional surface curved in three-dimensional space, but also achieve a three-dimensional representation through this optical three-dimensional depth effect.However, a precise alignment of the refractive edges of the different layers is avoided and only implemented in a limited area, resulting in an offset of the refractive edges in at least one section. This offset creates a three-dimensional depth effect that is perceived as futuristic and pleasing. The superimposed translucent layers with refractive edges allow for a three-dimensional optical representation within the decorative component, thus enabling an aesthetically pleasing design for a vehicle interior. Because the multiple light-refracting edges of each layer form a pattern with a closed, linear contour, the contour can, for example, represent a closed frame. In particular, the contour is formed as a circle, ellipse, closed polygon, or regular n-gon. The contours of the respective layers, which are at least partially superimposed, can thus be perceived as parts of a depicted tunnel, thereby enhancing the three-dimensional depth effect. Since the patterns of the different layers are essentially aligned on one side along the surface normals of the layers, a common side of the tunnel formed by the contours of the respective layers is created, further enhancing the three-dimensional depth effect of the tunnel. Each layer has a large top surface and a large bottom surface connected to each other via narrow sides, with the refractive edges between the top and bottom surfaces being provided in the material of the respective layer. These refractive edges can be created, for example, by introducing a material different from the rest of the layer's material, wherein the introduced material has different optical properties, in particular a different refractive index. Preferably, each layer is formed in one piece, with the refractive edges being created by a local modification of the optical properties introduced into the single piece of material.The refractive edges are created, for example, by a fracture in the material, interrupting the continuous flow of the material at the fracture line, which then forms the refractive edge. Additionally or alternatively, the fracture line can be created by indentation, engraving, or another chipless or chip-removing process, resulting in a gap with a thickness greater than zero. This gap can create two closely spaced refractive edges, separated by the gap, which is often filled with air as the optical medium. This results in a particularly visible line within the material of the respective layer. It is also possible to create the refractive edges through a local chemical modification, such as etching and / or a chemical reaction, resulting in a material with different chemical and / or optical properties.Preferably, the refractive edges are created by local heat input, wherein the heat input, particularly generated by a laser, has led to local thermal expansion of the material, thus changing the optical density of the heated material. Additionally or alternatively, the heat input can also have led to combustion of the material, thereby creating a clearly visible refractive edge. The decorative component can be configured as a display and / or touchscreen, and / or a portion of the decorative component can be configured as a display and / or touchscreen, wherein this portion is specifically free of refractive edges. In particular, it is possible to provide a display element beneath the translucent or even transparent layers. The decorative component has several layers, for example, three, four, five, six, seven, or more, so that the three-dimensional depth effect can be displayed with corresponding intensity. Preferably, all layers have more than one refractive edge.However, it is also possible that individual layers do not have refractive edges, for example in order to provide a height difference between the refractive edges of the layers spaced apart from each other by means of intermediate layers without refractive edges in the case of particularly thin layers. In particular, the respective refractive edges are formed by a jump in the refractive index within the material of the respective layer. The refractive index profile within the material of the respective layer can remain essentially constant until it changes abruptly at the refractive edge. This avoids a gradual and / or smooth change in the refractive index, resulting in a sharp-edged change in the optical properties within the layer. This leads to a particularly sharp optical representation of a symbol depicted by the refractive edges. Blurred rendering is avoided, resulting in a correspondingly sharp three-dimensional depth effect. Preferably, the respective refractive edges are formed by applying heat and / or pressure to the material of the respective layer. The initially homogeneous material of the layer, with uniform optical properties, can thus be treated in a locally confined area, particularly to form a fine line, by pressure and / or heat in such a way that the optical properties change abruptly only in this locally confined area. In particular, the patterns of the different layers are affine representations of each other. This allows the depicted tunnel to be portrayed as expanding or contracting, thus creating an optical illusion that the thickness of the decorative element differs from its actual thickness. This enhances the three-dimensional depth of the tunnel and / or the three-dimensional depth effect. Preferably, the patterns in each layer are designed as a surface pattern that repeats along at least one direction within the layer. This allows for easy automation of the generation of the refractive edges, and in particular the generation of the contours composed of these refractive edges. In particular, the layers of the decorative component can be designed as cut-off sections of a continuous material. The repeating surface pattern allows for a three-dimensional depth effect across a large portion of the decorative component, while the regularity of the patterns prevents a visually distracting appearance and creates a particularly pleasing presentation. In particular, the refractive edges are only formed over a portion of the material thickness of the corresponding layer, with the refractive edges of subsequent layers being spaced apart from one another. Direct contact between the refractive edges of successive layers is thus avoided, resulting in a spatially separated appearance. This creates a futuristic overall impression that can enhance the three-dimensional depth effect. Preferably, at least one light element, in particular an LED, is optically coupled to one side of the layers for lateral illumination. This lateral illumination allows light to be optically coupled into each layer, passing through the at least translucent material of the layer. The light rays from this light can strike the at least one refractive edge within the layer, where they are deflected. This creates an optical refractive edge that is clearly visible through the material of the respective layer. The deflected light can then continue to radiate through the material of the layer and strike further refractive edges, thus optically highlighting multiple refractive edges from a single light source to create the three-dimensional depth effect. The invention further relates to an interior trim component, in particular an interior door trim component for a motor vehicle door or center console, comprising an upper surface that defines an interior space and a decorative element embedded in the upper surface, which can be designed and further developed as described above. The superimposed translucent layers with light-refracting edges allow for a three-dimensional optical representation in the decorative element, thus enabling an aesthetically pleasing design of a motor vehicle interior. The invention is explained below by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, wherein the features shown below can represent an aspect of the invention, either individually or in combination. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a schematic sectional view of a decorative component, Fig. 2 a schematic top view of various layers of the decorative component from Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 a schematic perspective view of the decorative component from Fig. 1, for example, with five or more layers. The decorative element 10 shown in Fig. 1 for the interior of a motor vehicle has, for the sake of simplicity, for example, a first layer 12, a second layer 14, and a third layer 16, which are stacked on top of each other and, in particular, bonded together. The layers 12, 14, and 16 can, in particular, be made of an identical, preferably as transparent as possible, material, for example, glass and / or plastic glass. With respect to the second layer 14, the first layer 12 is a preceding layer, while the second layer 14 is a subsequent layer. With respect to the third layer 16, the second layer 14 is the preceding layer, while the third layer 16 is the subsequent layer. This applies analogously to further layers.On the underside of the first layer 12, first refractive edges 18 are laser-etched over a portion of the material thickness of the first layer 12; these edges are part of a repeating first pattern 20. Similarly, the second layer 14 has second refractive edges 22 on its underside, which are part of a repeating second pattern 24, while the third layer 16 has third refractive edges 26 on its underside, which are part of a repeating third pattern 28. As shown in Fig. 2, the patterns 20, 24, 28 can be affine representations of each other, the size of which changes proportionally across the layers 12, 14, 16. As shown in Fig. 1, the patterns 20, 24, 28 can be arranged flush one above the other on one side, with the extent of the refractive edges 18, 22, 26 and the associated patterns 20, 24, 26 being laterally offset from each other on the other side to enhance the three-dimensional depth effect. The layers 12, 14, 16 can be illuminated on at least one side by a light element 32, which may, for example, have several LEDs 30, so that the refractive edges 18, 22, 16 can be optically highlighted, in particular optionally by deliberately switching the light element 32 on and / or off. As shown in Fig. 3, the superimposed patterns 20, 24, 28 can be represented as parts of a tunnel, resulting in a visually pleasing three-dimensional depth effect. In contrast to the representation in Fig. 1, the decorative element 10 shown in Fig. 3 has not only three layers 12, 14, 16, but five or more layers to enhance the three-dimensional depth effect.

Claims

Decorative component (10) for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising an at least translucent first layer (12), wherein the first layer (12) has more than a first refractive edge (18), and at least one further at least translucent layer (14; 16) laid flat on a previous layer (12; 14), wherein the further layer (14; 16) has more than a further refractive edge (22, 26), characterized in that at least a part of the refractive edges (18, 22, 26) of successive layers (12, 14;14, 16) are positioned laterally offset from each other to create an optical three-dimensional depth effect, wherein the multiple light refraction edges (18, 22, 26) of the respective layer (12, 14, 16) form a pattern (20, 24, 28) with a linearly closed contour and the patterns (20, 24, 28) of the different layers (12, 14, 16) are positioned flush on one side in the direction of the surface normals of the layers (12, 14, 16). Decorative component (10) according to claim 1 characterized in that the respective light refraction edges (18, 22, 26) are formed by a change in the refractive index in the material of the respective layer (12, 14, 16). Decorative component (10) according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the respective light refraction edges (18, 22, 26) are formed by the application of heat and / or pressure to the material of the respective layer (12, 14, 16). Decorative component (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the patterns (20, 24, 28) of the different layers (12, 14, 16) are affine representations of each other. Decorative component (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the patterns (20, 24, 28) in the respective layer (12, 14, 16) are formed as a surface pattern repeating along at least one direction within the layer (12, 14, 16). Decorative component (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the light refraction edges (18, 22, 26) are formed only over a part of the material thickness of the associated layer (12, 14, 16), wherein in particular the light refraction edges (18, 22, 26) of subsequent layers (12, 14; 14, 16) are spaced apart from each other. Decorative component (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that at least one light element (32), in particular LED (30), is optically coupled to one side of the layers (12, 14, 16) for lateral illumination of the layers (12, 14, 16). Interior trim part, in particular interior door trim for a door of a motor vehicle or center console, with a top surface defining an interior space and a decorative component (10) embedded in the top surface according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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