Translucent metal decorative panel and method for manufacturing a translucent metal decorative panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a translucent metal decorative panel (1) with a visible side (S) and a reverse side (R) facing away from it, wherein the metal decorative panel (1) has a metallic base body (10) in which at least one recess (11) open to the visible side (S) and to the reverse side (R) is formed, which is filled with a translucent filler material (12), wherein the base body (10) and the filler material (12) together provide a surface (13) towards the visible side (S) which is coated with a translucent metallic cover layer (20), so that rear illumination of the at least one recess (11) filled with the filler material (12) is visible through the cover layer (20).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a translucent metal decorative panel and a method for manufacturing a translucent metal decorative panel.

[0002] A variety of decorative panels and covers are known from the prior art, which have translucent areas for the realization of design or functional elements. Such translucent areas can be used, for example, to implement illuminated decorative strips or symbols or pictograms integrated into the decorative panels of display or control elements.

[0003] Particularly in the automotive sector, due to the resulting high-quality look and feel, emphasis is placed on ensuring that the translucent areas of the decorative panels or covers are not visible or concealed when unlit.

[0004] Such areas, which are not visible when unlit, can be realized, for example, by translucent layers, which are often made of plastic.

[0005] To further optimize the appearance and create additional design possibilities, it is also known to use a translucent metal layer instead of plastic.

[0006] For example, a decorative cover is known from DE 10 2017 125 113 A1, in which a thin, and therefore translucent, metal layer is provided on the visible side in translucent areas, so that recesses provided in a carrier view become visible when backlit. However, with regard to the aforementioned patent application, it is problematic that the decorative cover is essentially designed as a multilayer film, which is not only difficult to handle in manufacturing and processing, but also exhibits a less than ideal tactile feel, particularly when integrated into or combined with operating elements.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages and providing a translucent metal decorative panel with improved manufacturability, handling and feel.

[0008] This problem is solved by the combination of features according to claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, a translucent metal decorative panel with a visible side and a reverse side is proposed. The metal decorative panel has a metallic base body, which is preferably not merely a thin layer, but rather has a predetermined thickness of at least 1 mm, preferably at least 3 mm, and / or a predetermined mass of at least 5 g, or is made of solid material, so that the mass or the movement of the mass by the operator conveys a corresponding sense of quality and tactile feel. Furthermore, no additional support, and in particular no film, is necessary or provided on the reverse side of the base body.For integration into a control element, a carrier for a light source can be provided on the rear side. This carrier, however, does not perform any structural function for the base body and merely holds it relative to the light source. According to the invention, at least one recess open to the visible side and the rear side is formed in the base body. This recess can form a symbol or pictogram, or part thereof, in a view from the front. The at least one open recess is preferably completely filled with a translucent, i.e., transparent or translucent, filler material, which is particularly plastic. If several recesses are provided, preferably all recesses are filled with such a filler material.Furthermore, it is provided that the base body and the filling material together provide a surface on the visible side which is coated with a translucent metallic cover layer, so that backlighting of at least one recess filled with the filling material is visible through the cover layer, or the filling material arranged in the recesses is visible through the cover layer when backlit and is not visible through the cover layer without backlighting.

[0010] The metal decorative panel according to the invention is intended in particular for motor vehicles or for integration into control elements or consoles in dashboards or generally for the vehicle interior.

[0011] The solution according to the invention allows for a pleasant metallic feel (cool touch) combined with high stability and durability. Symbols that are concealed or invisible when unlit can be made visible by backlighting from a light source, thus enabling a display and any associated controls. If such a decorative panel is not merely decorative or display-related, but is integrated into or used in a control element, the comparatively heavy base also results in a high-quality feel when the control element is operated or moved.

[0012] It may be designed so that the entire surface is coated with the cover layer, or that the cover layer covers the entire surface, thus concealing all recesses from the visible side. Accordingly, all recesses are not visible through the cover layer without backlighting, but are visible with backlighting.

[0013] Alternatively, it can be provided that the covering layer covers the entire surface except for an area defined by the filling material of at least one recess or several areas of the surface defined by the filling material of several recesses, so that a single recess or several recesses, but preferably not all recesses, remain visible regardless of illumination.

[0014] The translucent metallic coating is preferably applied by physical vapor deposition (PVD). Furthermore, the metallic coating may preferably have a thickness between 2 µm (micrometers) and 900 nm (nanometers), the thickness preferably being selected such that the recess or a symbol formed by the recess becomes visible under normal illumination.

[0015] An advantageous embodiment provides that the base body has a receiving space on its rear side, towards which at least one recess is open or has its rear opening. This receiving space can be surrounded, at least circumferentially, by walls formed integrally by the base body around an axis extending from the visible side to the rear side, wherein the walls preferably completely surround the receiving space in the circumferential direction.

[0016] If such walls are provided, the covering layer can extend from the surface to an outer side of the walls facing away from the receiving space and / or cover the entire base body except for the areas of the base body adjacent to the receiving space.

[0017] Preferably, it is also provided that at least one light source is arranged and / or fixed in the receiving space to illuminate the at least one recess filled with filler material, so that the symbols formed on the viewing side by the recesses filled with the filler material can also be illuminated by means of the light source(s).

[0018] Furthermore, several light sources can be arranged and / or fixed in the receiving space to illuminate at least one recess filled with filler material, and in particular the symbols formed on the viewing side by the recesses filled with filler material. Each light source is assigned to a group with at least one recess filled with filler material, with separating elements integrally formed by the base body extending between the light sources. These separating elements are designed to prevent light from a light source assigned to a first group from entering a second group of a different light source.

[0019] The top layer can also be coated or covered on the visible side, in particular completely, with a preferably printed decorative layer and / or a protective layer and / or a non-stick layer, i.e., with at least one further layer. If several layers are provided, they can be applied in the given order. It should also be noted that the layers are preferably at least partially transparent or translucent. The protective layer can, for example, be provided by hard anodizing or as a hardcoat layer.

[0020] Another aspect of the invention relates to an operating element with a tactile element for receiving a force that can be applied by an operator and a light source, wherein the tactile element is a metal decorative cover according to the invention and the light source is arranged and designed on the rear side of the tactile element, i.e. preferably in a receiving space formed on the rear side by the tactile element or the metal decorative cover, in order to make the at least one recess filled with the filling material visible through the cover layer when illuminated.

[0021] Furthermore, one aspect of the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a translucent metal decorative panel with a visible side and a reverse side facing away from it, wherein this is preferably a metal decorative panel according to the invention, and wherein a control element proposed according to the invention can also be manufactured by the method. According to the proposed method, this comprises at least the following steps, preferably in the given order: a. Manufacturing a metallic base body, preferably with a receiving space arranged at the rear or open and limited towards the visible side, which may be limited in the circumferential direction by walls integrally formed through the base body around an axis extending from the visible side to the rear; b. Forming at least one recess in the base body that is open to the rear or to the visible side and forms an opening to this side, which is preferably completely closed except for the opening formed thereby and can further preferably form a symbol or part of a symbol on the visible side; c. In particular, completely filling the at least one recess with a translucent, especially translucent or transparent, filling material, wherein the filling is preferably carried out through the respective opening provided in step b.; d. Removing the base body or removing the material of the base body on one side opposite the opening of the at least one recess filled with filler material, so that the at least one recess filled with filler material is open to the visible side and to the rear side and the base body and the filler material together provide a surface on the visible side; e. Coating in particular the entire surface with a translucent metallic cover layer, so that backlighting of at least one recess filled with the filler material is visible through the cover layer.

[0022] Preferably, the at least one recess in step b. is designed to be open towards the back and closed towards the visible side, so that during the removal process in step d., the base body is removed from the visible side, thereby forming a continuous surface jointly defined by the filler material and the base body.

[0023] In particular, if at least one recess in step b. is formed open towards the visible side, an additional treatment, for example by grinding or polishing, can be carried out on the visible side of the base body before step e., which smooths and / or delineates transitions between the areas on the surface defined by the base body and the areas defined by the filler material.

[0024] When coating the surface, a portion of the surface can be coated, leaving an area on the visible side with at least one recess filled with filler material free of the coating layer, thus making a symbol visible regardless of the illumination or backlighting. Alternatively, when coating the surface, the entire surface can be coated, and the coating layer can then be removed after coating in the area of ​​at least one recess filled with filler material, particularly by a laser, so that at least one recess filled with filler material, or a symbol formed by it, is also free of the coating layer on the visible side.

[0025] It is generally the case that preferably only a part of the recesses filled with the filling material are free from the covering layer, and another part of the recesses filled with the filling material are accordingly covered by the covering layer and are not visible without backlighting.

[0026] The basic body in step a. can be manufactured, for example, from a sheet metal part by sheet metal forming, by die casting - especially zinc die casting, by milling from a solid metallic material and / or by metal powder injection molding.

[0027] A receiving space, if provided in the base body, can be formed integrally during the manufacture of the base body in step a. or separately and, for example, immediately after step a.

[0028] The at least one recess in step b. can also be produced by milling, EDM, laser cutting and / or by providing a free space in step a.

[0029] The at least one recess in step c. can be filled by back-injection, potting and / or dispensing, i.e., by applying the filling material using a pressure or spray head.

[0030] In step d. the base material can be removed by grinding and / or polishing the surface.

[0031] The cover layer in step e. is preferably applied by physical vapor deposition (PVD).

[0032] After step e., at least one further coating of the visible side or at least one coating of the cover layer can be applied. In particular, the cover layer can be completely coated or covered on the visible side with a preferably printed decorative layer and / or a protective layer and / or a non-stick layer. If several layers are provided, these can be applied in the given sequence.

[0033] The features disclosed above can be combined in any way, provided that this is technically possible and they do not contradict each other.

[0034] Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or are described in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. The figures show: Fig. 1 a translucent metal decorative panel; Fig. 2 steps to making a translucent metal decorative panel.

[0035] The figures are schematic examples. Identical reference symbols in the figures indicate identical functional and / or structural features.

[0036] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a translucent metal decorative panel 1 according to an advantageous embodiment. This panel has a visible side S facing the viewer during intended use and a reverse side R facing away from it, which is not visible during intended use and is particularly relevant for connection or console mounting.

[0037] In order to create a high-quality and pleasant and valuable feel for the user when used as a control element, it is intended that the base body 10 is not formed from just a thin layer or film, but in the example shown is made from solid metallic material, whereby the base body 10 could also be made from a sheet and by sheet forming.

[0038] The base body 10 has several recesses 11 which are open to the visible side S and to the rear side R, the recesses 11 being filled with a transparent filling material 12.

[0039] On the visible side, the filler material 12, together with the base body 10, defines a flat surface 13, which is covered (i.e., coated) with a cover layer 20. It is essential that the cover layer 20 is a translucent metallic cover layer 20, which can be applied, for example, by PVD technology and accordingly also be referred to as a PVD layer. The cover layer 20 preferably achieves its translucency through a correspondingly thin layer thickness d, which can, for example, be in the range between 2 µm and 900 nm.

[0040] Without backlighting of the recesses 11 from the rear side R, the recesses 11 are not visible through the cover layer 20. If the recesses 11 are illuminated from the rear, for example by a light source 30, the light L can penetrate the recesses 11 through the transparent filler material 12 and the translucent metallic cover layer 20, so that the recesses 11 and any symbols or pictograms formed by them on the visible side become visible to the viewer.

[0041] If individual recesses 11 or the symbols or pictograms formed by them are to be visible independently of backlighting and thus permanently visible, it is provided – as with the recess 11 on the right in the representation plane – that the recess 11 or the area 14 defined by the filler material 12 arranged in the recess 11 remains free of the cover layer 20 or that the cover layer 20 is removed from this area 14, for example by laser.

[0042] To protect the cover layer 20, it is also coated on the visible side with a protective layer 21, which is in particular a so-called hardcoat layer.

[0043] Both the cover layer 20 and, independently of this, the protective layer 21, can only be provided on the visible surface 13 or can additionally extend over the sides of the base body 10 to the rear of the base body 10.

[0044] As shown, the base body 10 forms a receiving space 15 on its rear side for receiving a light source 30, in which the recesses 11 open on the rear side. In the circumferential direction U about an imaginary axis A extending from the visible side S to the rear side R, the receiving space 15 is bounded by walls 16 formed integrally by the base body 10.

[0045] In Fig. 2 are the manufacturing steps a to g for the production of a metal decorative panel 1 according to Fig. 1 shown, wherein the representations a) to e) correspond to those described in steps a. to e. in the claims.

[0046] Accordingly, the following is planned: a. First, a metallic base body 10 is produced, in this case milled from a solid metallic material. At the same time, the receiving space 15 is milled into the base body 10. b. Subsequently, recesses 11 open towards the rear side R are formed in the base body, these being produced by milling in this case. c. Subsequently, the recesses 11 are filled with a transparent plastic as filler material 12. d. The base body 10 or the material of the base body 10 is removed by grinding on the visible side, so that the recesses 11 are open to both the back side R and the visible side S and the base body 10 together with the filler material 12 defines a visible surface 13. e. Subsequently, the surface 13 formed thereby is coated by vapor deposition with a translucent metallic cover layer 20, which covers the entire surface 13 and accordingly also all recesses 11.

[0047] Since the recess 11 on the right side of the representation plane should be visible regardless of backlighting, the following step is then taken: f. Removal of the cover layer 20 in area 14 of one or, in this case, the right recess 11 by a laser. g. To protect the cover layer 20, it is further provided that a protective layer 21 is subsequently applied to the visible side S of the base body 10, which covers the entire surface 13 and both protects it and creates a leveling effect in the area 14.

[0048] The invention is not limited in its implementation to the preferred embodiments specified above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable which make use of the solution presented even in fundamentally different designs. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2017 125 113 A1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Translucent metal decorative panel (1) with a visible side (S) and a rear side (R) facing away from it, wherein the metal decorative panel (1) has a metallic base body (10), in which at least one recess (11) open to the visible side (S) and to the rear side (R) is formed, which is filled with a translucent filling material (12), wherein the base body (10) and the filling material (12) together provide a surface (13) towards the visible side (S), which surface is coated with a translucent metallic cover layer (20), so that a backlighting of the at least one recess (11) filled with the filling material (12) is visible on the visible side through the cover layer (20). [2] Metal decorative panel according to claim 1, wherein the covering layer (20) covers the entire surface (13) or wherein the covering layer (20) covers the entire surface (13) except for one region (14) of at least one recess (11) determined by the filling material (12) or several regions (14) of the surface (13) determined by the filling material (12) of several recesses (11). [3] Metal decorative panel according to claim 2, wherein the metallic covering layer (20) is applied by physical vapor deposition and / or wherein the metallic cover layer (20) has in particular a thickness (d) between 2 µm and 900 nm. [4] Metal decorative panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base body (10) has a receiving space (15) on the rear side, towards which the at least one recess (11) is open and / or which is surrounded at least in the circumferential direction (U) by walls (16) formed by the base body (10) about an axis (A) running along an axis from the visible side (S) to the rear side (R). [5] Metal decorative panel according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one illuminant (30) for illuminating the at least one recess (11) filled with filling material (12) is arranged and / or fixed in the receiving space (15). [6] Metal decorative panel according to the preceding claim, wherein a plurality of illuminating means (30) for illuminating at least one recess (11) filled with filling material (12) are arranged and / or fixed in the receiving space (15), wherein each illuminant (30) is assigned a group with at least one recess (11) filled with filling material (12), and wherein separating elements formed by the base body (10) extend between the illuminating means (30), which separating elements are designed to prevent light from entering from one illuminating means (30) into a group of another illuminating means (30). [7] Metal decorative panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover layer (20) is coated on the visible side with a decorative layer and / or protective layer (21) and / or non-stick layer. [8] Operating element with a touch body (1) for receiving a force that can be applied by an operator and a lighting means (30), wherein the touch body (1) is a metal decorative panel (1) according to one of the preceding claims and the lighting means (30) is arranged on the rear side of the touch body (1) and is designed to make the at least one recess (11) filled with the filling material (12) visible on the visible side through the cover layer (20) when the at least one recess (11) is illuminated. [9] Method for producing a translucent metal decorative panel (1) with a visible side (S) and a rear side (R) facing away from it, comprising the steps: a. producing a metallic base body (10); b. forming at least one recess (11) in the base body (10) which is open towards the rear side (R) or towards the visible side (S); c. filling the at least one recess (11) with a translucent filling material (12); d. removing the base body (10) on a side opposite the opening of the at least one recess (11) filled with filling material (12), so that the at least one recess (11) filled with filling material (12) is open towards the visible side (S) and towards the rear side (R) and the base body (10) and the filling material (12) together provide a surface (13) towards the visible side (S); e. Coating the surface (13) with a translucent metallic cover layer (20) such that backlighting of the at least one recess (11) filled with the filling material (12) is visible through the cover layer (20). [10] Method according to the preceding claim, wherein, when coating the surface (13), a part of the surface (13) is coated, so that on the visible side, an area (14) with at least one recess (11) filled with filling material (12) remains free of the covering layer (20) or when coating the surface (13), the entire surface (13) is coated and the covering layer (20) is removed after coating in the region (14) of at least one recess (11) filled with filling material (12), so that on the visible side at least one recess (11) filled with filling material (12) is free of the covering layer (20). [11] Method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the base body (10) is produced in step a. by sheet metal forming, by die casting, by milling from solid material and / or by metal powder injection molding, and / or wherein the at least one recess (11) in step b. is produced by milling, eroding, lasering and / or by providing a free space in step a., and / or wherein the at least one recess (11) is filled with the filling material (12) in step c. by back-injection, casting and / or dispensing, and / or wherein the base body (10) is removed in step d. by grinding and / or polishing the surface (13) and / or wherein the cover layer (20) is applied in step e. by physical vapor deposition. [12] Method according to one of the preceding claims 9 to 11, wherein the cover layer (20) is coated on the visible side with a decorative layer and / or protective layer (21) and / or non-stick layer.

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