Functional equipment for the interior of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a functional device (2) for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle with a planar decorative element (4) that indirectly or directly forms a functional surface (6), in particular one that can be operated manually, which is entirely or at least partially transparent and which comprises a planar, in particular flexible, thin stone product or is formed entirely from the thin stone product, and with at least one transparent or semi-transparent functional layer (12) that is arranged on a side of the decorative element (4) facing away from the vehicle interior and through which electromagnetic waves outside the visible range can be emitted in the direction of the decorative element (4) and / or through which electromagnetic waves, in particular in the visible range, can be received from the direction of the decorative element (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a functional device for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle.

[0002] Functional devices in motor vehicle interiors are known from the state of the art as control and display elements. Their surfaces can be made of various plastic materials. Occasionally, surfaces made of glass, metal, wood, leather, or ceramic are also known.

[0003] The operating elements can be manually operated and / or form functional surfaces to which a function, such as inductive charging of an electrical consumer, can be assigned.

[0004] It has been found that existing functional components often do not meet sustainability requirements. For example, functional components made entirely of plastics contain petroleum-based materials. Furthermore, materials that require increased energy to produce, such as glass, ceramics, and metal, are neither sustainable nor climate-neutral. Furthermore, most materials classified as sustainable, such as fabrics or fibers, are not suitable for functional components in vehicles.

[0005] An object of an embodiment of the invention is to propose a functional device for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle in which sustainability or climate neutrality is improved and at the same time the usability as a functional element is ensured.

[0006] This object is achieved by a functional device for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle with a planar decorative element which directly or indirectly forms a functional surface, in particular a manually operable one, which is translucent in its entirety or at least in part and which comprises a planar, in particular flexible, thin stone product or is formed entirely from the thin stone product, and with at least one transparent or partially transparent functional layer which is arranged on a side of the decorative element facing away from the vehicle interior and through which electromagnetic waves outside the visible range can be emitted in the direction of the decorative element and / or through which electromagnetic waves, in particular in the visible range, can be received from the direction of the decorative element.

[0007] Because the functional device comprises a planar decorative element that comprises a thin stone product or is formed entirely from the thin stone product, at least elements of the functional device are formed from a sustainable material that simultaneously meets the technical requirements for stability and elasticity as a functional element.

[0008] Because the functional device comprises a functional layer arranged on the side of the decorative element facing away from the vehicle interior, electromagnetic waves can be transmitted through the planar decorative element outside the visible range and / or electromagnetic waves, particularly in the visible range, can be received from the direction of the decorative element. In the latter case, the functional device, particularly the planar decorative element, can be an element of a manually operable control element, such as a button or touchscreen.

[0009] Electromagnetic waves in the visible range are understood to mean, in particular, light. Electromagnetic waves outside the visible range are understood to mean all other waves except those in the visible range, in particular electromagnetic waves with a wavelength suitable for charging electrical devices by induction. In this case, an electrical device that is directly or indirectly in contact with or rests on the flat decorative element can be inductively charged by the functional layer.

[0010] The thin stone product may comprise a natural product. It is advantageous if the thin stone product comprises a crystal, stone, or slate, in particular genuine slate, and / or if the thin stone product of the planar decorative element has a layer thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, in particular 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0011] If the thin stone product of the planar decorative element has a layer thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, in particular of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm, electromagnetic waves, both in the visible and in the non-visible range, can pass through the decorative element and reach the functional layer from the outside or pass from the functional layer through the decorative element to the outside.

[0012] In addition, the aforementioned layer thickness increases the elasticity of the planar decorative element, making it easier to adapt, in particular to apply, the planar decorative element to different geometries.

[0013] Embodiments of the functional device are conceivable in which the functional device comprises at least one lighting unit which comprises at least one lighting means, such as an LED, which is arranged on the side of the functional layer facing away from the decorative element and by means of which electromagnetic waves in the visible range can be emitted in the direction of the decorative element.

[0014] By providing a lighting unit, the functional device can be designed to be illuminated. The light emitted by the lighting device can pass outward through the flat decorative element, which is translucent in its entirety or at least in part.

[0015] This makes it possible to operate the functional device even in poor lighting conditions and provides a visually appealing exterior for the functional device.

[0016] In principle, it is conceivable for the decorative element to be attached directly to the functional layer. However, it proves advantageous if the functional device comprises at least one carrier unit that is completely or partially transparent. This carrier unit is arranged on a side of the decorative element facing away from the vehicle interior, between the decorative element and the functional layer, and to which the decorative element is attached detachably, in particular by means of frictional engagement and / or positive engagement, or permanently, in particular by means of a material connection, frictional engagement, and / or positive engagement.

[0017] The support unit improves the reception and securing of the decorative element. Furthermore, the provision of a support unit facilitates installation of the decorative element and protects the decorative element from breakage under excessive force.

[0018] In a further development of the latter embodiment, it proves to be advantageous if the carrier unit comprises a light-tight carrier fleece or a light-permeable carrier fleece which is fixed to the decorative element on the side of the decorative element facing away from the vehicle interior and / or if the carrier unit comprises a single-component or multi-component plastic carrier which comprises light-permeable areas in whole or in part and which is arranged between the decorative element or carrier fleece and the functional layer on the side of the decorative element facing away from the vehicle interior.

[0019] By providing a light-tight or translucent carrier fleece, strong forces acting on the decorative element can be mitigated, in particular cushioned or dampened.

[0020] The single- or multi-component plastic carrier can be made entirely of a transparent plastic. Furthermore, only translucent areas can be made of a transparent or translucent plastic, while other areas can be made of an opaque plastic. In this case, the plastic carrier can fulfill the function of a mask.

[0021] The at least one illuminant can in particular be arranged on a translucent region of the plastic carrier.

[0022] In one embodiment of the functional device, it comprises at least one user-detectable display element, by means of which immutable information can be detected by the user, and which comprises at least one continuous recess in the decorative element, which comprises at least one continuous recess in the decorative element and in the light-tight carrier fleece, or which comprises at least one continuous recess in the light-tight carrier fleece.

[0023] The at least one display element comprising the continuous recess can, for example, comprise a user-detectable symbol, logo and / or character.

[0024] Because the display element is formed by a continuous recess in the decorative element, the recess in the decorative element can create the translucency of the decorative element in certain areas. In this case, embodiments are conceivable in which the decorative element is opaque in all other areas. Because light passes exclusively through the recess, a sharply defined area, in particular a symbol forming the display element, is visible to the user.

[0025] If a light-tight carrier fleece is provided, light emitted by the at least one light source can also only pass through the light-tight carrier fleece in the area of ​​the recess. This ensures a sharply defined display element, as described above.

[0026] In principle, it is conceivable that in such a case a recess is not necessarily arranged in the decorative element if the decorative element is translucent in that area or in its entirety.

[0027] If the continuous recess is arranged both in the decorative element and in the light-tight carrier fleece, the decorative element can be designed to be light-tight in the other areas.

[0028] If only the decorative element includes a continuous recess, the carrier fleece can be made translucent.

[0029] In principle, it is conceivable for the continuous recesses to comprise a hollow space. In a further development of the latter embodiment, the functional device comprises at least one optically effective filling element, which is arranged in the recess of the decorative element and / or the light-tight carrier fleece in a detachable manner, in particular by means of a positive or frictional fit, and / or non-detachable manner, in particular by means of a material fit, positive fit, and / or frictional fit, and which comprises a transparent and / or translucent material.

[0030] By providing a filler element, the recess can be prevented from becoming clogged. Because the filler element is optically effective, light can pass through it unhindered or be scattered or colored with an optical effect, for example.

[0031] In principle, it is conceivable for the decorative element to form an outer surface of the functional device. To reduce wear and tear of the decorative element, it is advantageous for the functional device to comprise at least one translucent and / or transparent protective layer arranged directly on the decorative element on a side of the decorative element facing the vehicle interior, which overlaps the decorative element partially or entirely, and which can be manually touched upon actuation.

[0032] The protective layer can, in principle, be formed in any way, as long as it fulfills the technical function of protecting the decorative element against wear and dirt. Embodiments of the functional device are conceivable in which the protective layer comprises an epoxy resin and / or the protective layer has a maximum layer thickness of 80 µm, in particular a maximum of 50 µm.

[0033] If the outer surface of the functional device is formed by the protective layer, this forms the directly manually operable functional surface. The decorative element can then be operated indirectly.

[0034] The functional layer can, in principle, be formed in any desired manner. Embodiments of the functional device are conceivable in which the functional layer comprises at least one sensor means, in particular a sensor film, by which manual actuation of the functional device can be detected, wherein the functional surface forms an indirectly or directly manually operable operating surface, and / or in which the functional layer comprises at least one charging means, in particular a coil body, through which electromagnetic waves can be emitted for inductively charging a load, wherein the functional surface forms an inductive charging surface.

[0035] If the functional layer comprises at least one sensor, the functional device may comprise a manually operable control surface. This allows the functional layer to detect an approach to the functional surface and trigger a corresponding control command upon detection of a trigger criterion detected by the sensor.

[0036] The manually operable control surface can in this case comprise a single manually operable switch or several manually operable switches formed by one and the same decorative element.

[0037] If the functional layer comprises at least one charging means, in particular a coil body, the functional surface can form an inductive charging surface.

[0038] A consumer is understood to be an electrical consumer, such as mobile devices, tablets, headphones or watches that can be charged inductively.

[0039] In one embodiment of the functional device, an area of ​​the decorative element can be assigned to a loading means and an adjoining area can form at least one manually operable operating surface.

[0040] Further features, details and advantages of the invention emerge from the appended patent claims, from the drawings and the following description of two preferred embodiments of the functional device.

[0041] The drawing shows: Fig. 1 A sectional view of a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the functional device, Fig. 2 A sectional view of a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the functional device.

[0042] The figures show two exemplary embodiments of a functional device for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle (not explicitly shown in the figures), each designated by the reference numeral 2. The functional devices 2 each comprise a planar decorative element 4, which, in the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, indirectly forms a functional surface 6. The planar decorative element 4 comprises a planar thin stone product, such as crystal, stone, or slate.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, a transparent protective layer 8 is arranged on a side of the decorative element 4 facing the vehicle interior. This transparent protective layer 8 lies directly against the decorative element 4 and completely covers the decorative element 4. The protective layer 8 can be manually touched from the direction of the vehicle interior and forms the directly manually touchable functional surface 6.

[0044] On the side of the decorative element 4 facing away from the vehicle interior, the functional device 2 comprises a carrier unit 10.

[0045] A transparent or semi-transparent functional layer 12 is provided on the side of the carrier unit 10 facing away from the vehicle interior. Furthermore, in the embodiments shown in the figures, illumination means 14 are provided on the side of the functional layer 12 facing away from the vehicle interior, through which electromagnetic waves in the visible range can be emitted toward the decorative element 4.

[0046] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the functional device 2. In the embodiment according to Fig. 1, the functional layer 12 comprises sensor means 16, through which electromagnetic waves, in particular in the visible range, from the direction of the decorative element 4 can be received by the sensor means 16.

[0047] The carrier unit 10 comprises a light-tight carrier fleece 18 to which the decorative element 4 is attached. Furthermore, the carrier unit 10 comprises a multi-component plastic carrier 20 comprising light-tight regions 22 and translucent regions 24. To ensure the passage of electromagnetic waves in the visible range from the direction of the vehicle interior toward the sensor means 16, continuous recesses 26 are arranged in the decorative element 4 and in the light-tight carrier fleece 18. This allows light to pass unhindered from the vehicle interior toward the sensor means 16.

[0048] An optically effective filler element 28 made of a transparent and / or translucent material is arranged in one of the recesses 26. The filler element 28 allows a user-perceivable color effect to be achieved.

[0049] In Fig. 1, the recesses 26 are functionally assigned to a user-detectable display element 30, through which a fixed information can be detected by the user. In addition, Fig. 1 that the optically effective filling element 28 light which passes through the illuminants 14, through the decorative element 4, in particular through the recess 26, is changed in color by the optically effective filling element 28.

[0050] Fig. Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the functional device 2, in which the functional layer 12 comprises at least one charging means 32, by means of which electromagnetic waves can be emitted for inductively charging a consumer. Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the decorative element 4 is completely translucent.

[0051] The carrier unit 10 of the embodiment according to Fig. 2 comprises a translucent carrier fleece 19 and, as in the example according to Fig. 1, a multi-component plastic carrier 20. The multi-component plastic carrier 20 according to Fig. 2 comprises light-tight areas 22 and light-permeable areas 24. In the functional device 2 according to the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the functional device 2 comprises an inductive charging surface.

[0052] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawings can be essential both individually and in any combination in the realization of the invention in its various embodiments within the scope of the following claims. List of reference symbols 2 Functional device 4 decorative element 6 Functional interface 8 protective layer 10 carrier unit 12 functional layer 14 lighting devices 16 sensor devices 18 light-tight carrier fleece 19 translucent carrier fleece 20 plastic carriers 22 light-tight area 24 translucent area 26 recess 28 Filling element 30 display element 32 loading equipment

Claims

[1] Functional device (2) for a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle with a planar decorative element (4) which directly or indirectly forms a functional surface (6), in particular a manually operable one, which is translucent in its entirety or at least in part and which comprises a planar, in particular flexible, thin stone product or is formed entirely from the thin stone product, and with at least one transparent or partially transparent functional layer (12) which is arranged on a side of the decorative element (4) facing away from the vehicle interior and through which electromagnetic waves outside the visible range can be emitted in the direction of the decorative element (4) and / or through which electromagnetic waves, in particular in the visible range, can be received from the direction of the decorative element (4). [2] Functional device (2) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the thin stone product comprises a crystal, stone or slate, in particular real slate, and / or that the thin stone product of the planar decorative element (4) has a layer thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm, in particular of 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. [3] Functional device (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least one lighting unit comprising at least one lighting means (14), such as an LED, which is arranged on the side of the functional layer (12) facing away from the decorative element (4) and by means of which electromagnetic waves in the visible range can be emitted in the direction of the decorative element (4). [4] Functional device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byat least one carrier unit (10) which is transparent in whole or in part and which is arranged on a side of the decorative element (4) facing away from the vehicle interior, between the decorative element (4) and the functional layer (12) and to which the decorative element (4) is fixed detachably, in particular by means of frictional engagement and / or positive engagement, or non-detachably, in particular by means of material engagement, frictional engagement and / or positive engagement. [5] Functional device (2) according to claim 4, characterized bythat the carrier unit (10) comprises a light-tight carrier fleece (18) or a light-permeable carrier fleece (19) which is fixed to the decorative element (4) on the side of the decorative element (4) facing away from the vehicle interior and / or that the carrier unit (10) comprises a single-component or multi-component plastic carrier (20) which comprises light-permeable regions (24) in its entirety or in regions and which is arranged on the side of the decorative element (4) facing away from the vehicle interior between the decorative element (4) or carrier fleece (18, 19) and the functional layer (12). [6] Functional device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byat least one user-detectable display element (30) through which unchangeable information can be detected by the user, and which comprises at least one continuous recess (26) in the decorative element (4), which comprises at least one continuous recess (26) in the decorative element (4) and in the light-tight carrier fleece (18) or which comprises at least one continuous recess (26) in the light-tight carrier fleece (18). [7] Functional device (2) according to claim 6, characterized by at least one optically effective filling element (28) which is arranged in the recess (26) of the decorative element (4) and / or the light-tight carrier fleece (18) detachably, in particular by means of positive locking or frictional locking, and / or non-detachably, in particular by means of material locking, positive locking and / or frictional locking, and which comprises a transparent and / or translucent material. [8] Functional device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byat least one translucent and / or transparent protective layer (8) which is arranged directly on the decorative element (4) on a side of the decorative element (4) facing the vehicle interior, which protective layer overlaps the decorative element (4) in sections or in its entirety and which can be touched manually when actuated. [9] Functional device (2) according to claim 8, characterized by that the protective layer (8) comprises an epoxy resin and / or that the protective layer (8) has a layer thickness of a maximum of 80 µm, in particular a maximum of 50 µm. [10] Functional device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the functional layer (12) comprises at least one sensor means (16), in particular a sensor film, by means of which a manual actuation of the functional device (2) can be detected, wherein the functional surface (6) forms an indirectly or directly manually actuated operating surface and / or that the functional layer (12) comprises at least one charging means (32), in particular a coil body, by means of which electromagnetic waves can be emitted for the inductive charging of a consumer, wherein the functional surface (6) forms an inductive charging surface.

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