Upholstery material, interior component and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a translucent reference material (10) with a layer structure comprising: a top product (12) with a closed top surface (13) and an air-permeable, translucent intermediate layer (16) which is bonded to the outer material (12). Furthermore, an interior component and a motor vehicle are specified.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cover material, an interior component and a motor vehicle

[0002] In motor vehicles, the design of interior components has a decisive influence on the occupant's driving experience. The trend here is toward a purist design with concealed lighting and control functions that only become visible when used or activated.

[0003] In high-end trim levels, interior components such as the instrument panel or armrests are covered with upholstery materials to create a visually and tactilely appealing interior and optimize the occupant experience. These upholstery materials are subject to high levels of stress. They must withstand, among other things, strong temperature fluctuations and intense UV light exposure without showing any significant signs of aging or deterioration. Furthermore, they should be easy to maintain and offer a wide range of visual variations.

[0004] There is a desire for materials that are suitable for vehicle interiors and offer a wider range of applications.

[0005] Against this background, it is the object of the invention to provide a possibility of at least partially satisfying the requirements described above.

[0006] This object is achieved by a cover material according to claim 1, an interior component according to claim 7 and a vehicle according to claim 10. Further advantageous embodiments can be found in the subclaims.

[0007] A translucent cover material is specified, particularly for automotive interiors. In this context, a "translucent cover material" is defined as a material whose composite layers exhibit a visible light transmission of at least 5%. Accordingly, the individual layers of the cover material are also translucent and also exhibit a visible light transmission of at least 5%.

[0008] The cover material has a layered structure with a top layer with a closed surface on the visible side of the cover material and an air-permeable, translucent intermediate layer bonded to the top layer. The cover material preferably has a thickness of less than 3 mm, and in particular 2.5 mm or less. The thicknesses of the individual layers can be varied depending on the transmission requirements.

[0009] The outer fabric has a closed surface, making it resistant to dust or other contamination. The outer fabric can be textured on its surface, e.g., it can have a grain or a leather-like texture. The outer fabric is translucent and preferably has a light transmission of more than 5%.

[0010] The required transmission can be adjusted particularly easily if the outer fabric is designed as a plastic layer. The desired transmission can be achieved by using a suitable starting material and adjusting the percentage of color pigments. Different color variations can be achieved by varying the color pigments. Possible plastic materials for the outer fabric include TPO, PVC, and PU. For example, a (largely) colorless, transparent, or translucent plastic can be used. The material of the plastic layer is preferably TPO. TPO has good temperature resistance. For example, the TPO layer has a transmission in the range of 6 to 8%, preferably more than 6%.

[0011] In one embodiment, the outer layer is formed as a diffusely translucent layer, meaning that the underlying structure cannot be perceived without transmitted light, and only a "conventional" surface is perceived. Advantageously, the outer layer can be matched to neighboring surfaces in terms of grain and / or color, so that no difference is perceived without transmitted light.

[0012] For this purpose, for example, the surface of the outer fabric can be structured accordingly or the outer fabric can be designed as a translucent material layer.

[0013] In one embodiment, the intermediate layer is designed as a spacer fabric or open-pore foam. In conjunction with the outer fabric, this provides good ventilation options when lamination of the cover material to a supporting body, despite the closed surface.

[0014] A spacer fabric is preferred, as it offers better light transmission than foams, for example, approximately 70% (+ / - 5%). The spacer fabric is particularly preferably designed as a monofilament spacer fabric. This has higher light transmission than a multifilament structure (for example, approximately 80% (+ / - 5%)) with the same compression strength. The higher light transmission results in a wider range of usable material thicknesses. In combination with the outer fabric, this results in a cover material with good light transmission and a particularly high-quality feel.

[0015] The outer fabric and the intermediate layer are bonded together with an adhesive layer. The adhesive is applied as a homogeneous layer, preferably onto the outer fabric, e.g., by roller or spraying. A PUR adhesive, such as that used for laminating processes, is particularly suitable. This adhesive has a transmittance of approximately 90% (+ / - 5%), for example. An aliphatic-based PUR adhesive is particularly preferred, as it offers particularly high UV stability.

[0016] Furthermore, an interior component is specified that is covered with a translucent covering material as described above. The interior component is preferably an interior component for the vehicle interior of a motor vehicle, particularly preferably an instrument panel. However, the interior component can also be, for example, a glove compartment, a center armrest, a panel, part of a door or pillar trim, etc. The interior component can also be used for other means of transportation such as airplanes, ships, trains, etc. Use of the interior component in furniture or furnishings is also conceivable.

[0017] In one embodiment, the interior component comprises a supporting body, in particular a plastic body, which is bonded to the covering material. For example, the covering material can be laminated onto the supporting body.

[0018] Furthermore, a vehicle with an interior component as described above is specified. The vehicle is, in particular, a motor vehicle.

[0019] The invention offers the advantage that the covering material is translucent and, at the same time, easy to clean due to its closed surface. No interruptions or seams are required if parts of the trim are to be illuminated. In particular, it is possible to illuminate the interior component from the inside. Appropriate lighting devices can be integrated into the supporting body, for example, and are virtually invisible when switched off. This opens up new possibilities for achieving a puristic effect in the interior while still providing a variety of lighting options.

[0020] Further advantages, features, and details of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which describes exemplary embodiments of the invention in detail with reference to the drawings. The features mentioned in the claims and in the description may be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. Where the term "may" is used in this application, it refers to both the technical possibility and the actual technical implementation.

[0021] The following examples are explained with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show schematically: Fig. 1 Sectional views of the individual layers of an exemplary cover material, Fig. 2 a sectional view of the resulting cover material from Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a sectional view of an exemplary trim part and Fig. 4 an exemplary vehicle.

[0022] An exemplary translucent cover material 10 has a layer structure with at least three layers. A top fabric 12, designed as a TPO layer, is arranged on the visible side. This layer has a closed upper side 13, which can be grained, for example. An intermediate layer 14, designed, for example, as a monofilament knitted fabric, is provided as a haptic layer. The intermediate layer 14 is bonded to the top fabric 12 by means of an adhesive layer 16 on its reverse side, facing away from the upper side. A PUR laminating adhesive, for example, is used as the adhesive layer 16.

[0023] Fig. Figure 2 shows a resulting covering material 10 in which the individual layers 12, 14, 16 are bonded together to form a layered structure. The covering material 10 preferably has a transmittance of at least 5% as a composite and allows for transillumination, so that lighting devices can be integrated into a covering part 100.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a partial sectional view of an exemplary trim part 100, which has a support body 20 made of a PC plastic, onto which the cover material 10 according to Fig. 2 is laminated onto the support body 20. A lighting device (not shown) can be integrated into the support body 20. The trim part 100 is, for example, an instrument panel of a motor vehicle and can also have other components (not shown).

[0025] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary vehicle 1 in the form of a motor vehicle, in which the trim part 100 from Fig. 3 is installed. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle 10 Cover material 12 outer fabric 13 Top 14 Intermediate layer 16 Adhesive 20 supporting bodies 100 interior components

Claims

[1] Translucent cover material (10) with a layer structure comprising: an upper fabric (12) with a closed upper side (13) and an air-permeable, translucent intermediate layer (16) which is glued to the outer fabric (12). [2] Cover material according to claim 1, wherein the outer fabric (12) is formed as a plastic layer and the material of the plastic layer is preferably a TPO. [3] Cover material according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the outer fabric (12) is designed as a diffusely translucent layer. [4] Cover material according to one of the preceding claims, in which the intermediate layer (14) is designed as a spacer fabric or open-pore foam. [5] Cover material according to one of the preceding claims, in which the intermediate layer (14) is designed as a monofilament spacer fabric. [6] Cover material according to one of the preceding claims, in which the outer fabric (12) and the intermediate layer (14) are bonded with a PUR adhesive. [7] Interior component, in particular for a motor vehicle, which is covered with a translucent covering material according to one of the preceding claims. [8] Interior component according to claim 6 with a supporting body (20) which is glued to the covering material. [9] Interior component according to claim 5 or 6, which is an instrument panel. [10] Vehicle with an interior component according to one of claims 7 to 9.

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