motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) with a functional surface layer (3) arranged on a body part (2), the optical appearance of which can be electrically switched by means of a control device (4). The essential element of the invention is that - that the functional surface layer (3) has a microcapsule layer (5) with microcapsules (6) in which a liquid (7) in a first color (9) and positively charged contrast particles (8) in a second color (10) are arranged, wherein the first and the second color (9, 10) are different, - that an electrically conductive conductor (11) is arranged below the microcapsule layer (5), - the control device (4) is designed such that it can reverse the voltage in the electrical conductor (11), causing the positively charged contrast particles (8) to be either attracted to or repelled from the electrical conductor (11), so that the first color (9) or the second color (10) is visible on a visible surface.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a motor vehicle having a functional surface layer arranged on a body part, the optical appearance of which can be electrically switched by means of a control device, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] DE 10 2020 113 398 A1 discloses a generic motor vehicle with at least one functional surface layer whose optical appearance can be electrically switched by means of a control device. Further provided are a control device, an electrical conductor (electrode), and a plurality of microcapsules. The microcapsules are filled with liquid and electrically charged contrast particles, which are attracted or repelled depending on the polarity in the current-carrying conductor.

[0003] DE 10 2020 133 840 A1 discloses a vehicle having an e-paper display device arranged in a vehicle interior, a control device connected thereto, and a detection device for detecting vehicle surroundings. The control device is configured to control the e-paper display device depending on the vehicle surroundings detected by the detection device. The e-paper display device comprises a transparent housing wall enclosing an interior space. A plurality of first pigments of a first color and a plurality of second pigments of a second color, which are surrounded by a transparent fluid, are arranged in the interior space. The first pigments are typically positively charged, while the second pigments are typically negatively charged.When a positive or negative electric field is activated by applying a voltage to electrodes, the first and second pigments move towards the opposite electrodes.

[0004] DE 10 2016 001 578 A1 discloses an interior component for a motor vehicle interior, comprising a surface area facing the interior, which comprises a color-changing element connected to an automatically switchable voltage source. By briefly switching on the voltage source, the color of the color-changing element can be set to a first value in a first operating state and to a second value in a second operating state, which have different reflectance levels. This is intended, in particular, to at least reduce undesirable heating of the vehicle interior due to solar radiation.

[0005] DE 10 2020 125 481 A1 discloses a vehicle with a vehicle body and at least one decorative element arranged on the exterior of the vehicle body. The decorative element is formed by an e-ink display element that can be supplied with electrical control signals via a control device. Alternatively, the surface of the decorative element can be provided, at least in some areas, with an e-ink display element that can be supplied with electrical control signals via a control device. Different colors should be visible on the e-ink display element.

[0006] Current technology for color-changing vehicles is notoriously limited. Conventional painting methods, for example, only allow for a fixed color, which can only be changed through a time-consuming and costly repainting process. While the newer technologies described above do allow for color changes, these are either expensive, have significant technological limitations, or are impractical for use in motor vehicles.

[0007] Furthermore, existing technologies often require a constant power supply to maintain the desired color, making them impractical and energy-intensive. With current E Ink technologies, applying them to car paint is not feasible for several reasons. First, because they are typically mounted on a substrate such as glass or plastic, and second, because they are not designed to withstand the high stresses that car paint must endure during operation.

[0008] The present invention therefore addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least an alternative embodiment for a motor vehicle of the generic type, which in particular overcomes the disadvantages known from the prior art.

[0009] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of independent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0010] The present invention is based on the general idea of ​​creating a two-tone functional surface layer on a motor vehicle by providing liquid-filled microcapsules, wherein positively charged contrast particles, i.e., positively charged pigment particles, float in the liquid of these microcapsules, which is colored in the vehicle, and wherein the liquid and the positively charged contrast particles have different colors and can thus be influenced by means of a conductor to which voltage can be applied via a voltage source. The motor vehicle according to the invention has such a functional surface layer on a body part, the optical appearance of which can be electrically switched by means of a control device.The functional surface layer has a microcapsule layer with microcapsules in which a liquid in a first color and the aforementioned positively charged contrast particles in a second color are arranged. The first and second colors are different, with the first color corresponding to the body color of the motor vehicle. Also provided is an electrically energizable conductor below the microcapsule layer, which is electrically connected to the control device. The control device is designed such that it can reverse the voltage in the electrical conductor, i.e. can swap the poles, whereby the positively charged contrast particles are either attracted to the electrical conductor or repelled by the electrical conductor, so that the first color, namely the body color, or the second color can be seen on a visible surface of the functional surface layer.Because the liquid is colored in the car's color, there is no need for a separate paint job for the vehicle and the associated costs. The microcapsules comprise an extremely thin plastic skin that encloses the liquid and the contrast particles. In theory, it is of course also conceivable for these microcapsules to be cuboidal rather than spherical, for example, which would allow a visually continuous color change to be achieved. This offers the great advantage that a change in the visible color can be achieved without a constant supply of energy, i.e. just by briefly applying voltage to the electrical conductor. In addition, such a functional surface layer according to the invention is technically simple in design and can therefore be produced cost-effectively.Furthermore, the microcapsules can be applied to the vehicle body part manually, using traditional masking, or by direct printing, without generating overspray. The vehicle according to the invention also makes it possible to change the color of individual body parts by applying a voltage to the respective electrical conductor, without requiring a time-consuming and costly repainting process. Furthermore, a wide variety of applications are conceivable, from a simple color change as a design requirement to the generation of a warning signal.

[0011] In an advantageous development of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the functional surface layer has a clear coat layer that covers the microcapsule layer on the outside. The clear coat layer provides a mechanical protective layer for the microcapsule layer and protects it from the comparatively harsh environmental conditions encountered during use of the motor vehicle. Such a clear coat layer is transparent, so that the color generated by applying a voltage to the electrical conductor is immediately visible from the outside through the clear coat layer.

[0012] In a further advantageous embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the microcapsule layer is arranged on an outer side of the body part, and the electrical conductor is arranged on an inner side of the body part. This makes it possible to supply current to the electrical conductor without breaking through the body part, which in particular can reduce the risk of corrosion. Furthermore, by arranging the electrical conductor on the inner side of the body part, the thickness buildup of the functional surface layer towards the outside can also be reduced. A particular advantage here is that the electrical conductor can be arranged in a protected manner on the inner side of the body part.

[0013] In a further advantageous embodiment of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the positively charged contrast particles are arranged in the microcapsule layer in such a way that when the control device is activated in such a way that the contrast particles are repelled by the electrical conductor, a signal, in particular a warning signal, lettering or an emblem, can be seen on the visible surface. In the motor vehicle according to the invention, not only is a pure change in the body color possible by means of the functional surface layer, but additionally, indications for an environment can be generated which serve, for example, as a warning function, so that in particular, for example, there is no longer any need to carry a separate warning triangle, provided that the signal that can be generated by means of the functional surface layer represents such a warning triangle.This allows both the costs of equipping the vehicle to be reduced and weight advantages to be achieved.

[0014] In an advantageous development of the motor vehicle according to the invention, the body part is a bonnet, a side door, or a tailgate. This non-exhaustive list alone gives an idea of ​​the diverse possible applications for applying the functional surface layer to a motor vehicle. In theory, of course, a sill, a roof skin, or the entire exterior surface could also be covered with such a functional surface layer, which, in particular, allows the vehicle's color to be completely changed. It is also possible to cover only stripes with such a functional surface layer, which can particularly emphasize distinctive contours of the vehicle.

[0015] The motor vehicle is designed as an electric or hybrid vehicle. Reducing electrical energy consumption is particularly important for electric or hybrid vehicles, as this has a positive impact on the range of the electric or hybrid vehicle. By applying a voltage only for a very short time and thereby changing the color of the functional surface layer, the design effect can be achieved with comparatively little electrical energy and, in particular, without a constant power supply.

[0016] Further important features and advantages of the invention emerge from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0017] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the respective combination specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Components mentioned above and those to be mentioned below of a higher-level unit, such as a device, a device, or an arrangement, which are designated separately, may form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is shown differently in the drawing.

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same or similar or functionally identical components. The diagrams show schematically Fig. 1 a side view of a motor vehicle according to the invention with a functional surface layer in the area of ​​a front apron and a side door, Fig. 2 a motor vehicle according to the invention with a functional surface layer arranged in the area of ​​a front hood, which is designed to generate a warning signal, Fig. 3 a sectional view through a body part in the area of ​​the functional surface layer.

[0019] According to the Fig. 1 - 3, a motor vehicle 1 according to the invention has a functional surface layer 3 on a body part 2, the optical appearance of which can be electrically switched by means of a control device 4. The functional surface layer 3 now has, according to the Fig. 3 a microcapsule layer 5 with microcapsules 6, in which a liquid 7 in a first color 9 and positively charged contrast particles 8 in a second color 10 are arranged. The microcapsules can be spherical, but can also have a different geometric shape. Purely theoretically, the contrast particles 8 can of course also be negatively charged. In general, the first color 9 is designed differently from the second color 10. Also provided is an electrically energizable conductor 11 (see Fig. 3), wherein the control device 4 is designed such that it can reverse the voltage in the electrical conductor 11, ie swaps the poles, whereby the positively charged contrast particles 8 are either attracted to the electrical conductor 11 or repelled by it, so that the first color 9 or the second color 10 can be seen on a visible surface.

[0020] In order to protect the functional surface layer 3 and in particular the microcapsule layer 5 from mechanical influences, for example stone chips or rain, the microcapsule layer 5 is covered or coated with a clear lacquer layer 12.

[0021] Looking at the Fig. 3, it can be seen that the microcapsule layer 5 is arranged on an outer side 13 and the electrical conductor 11 is arranged on an inner side 14 of the body part 2, whereby both a structural height outside the body part 2 is reduced and the electrical conductor 11 can be arranged in a protected manner within the body part 2. Arranging the electrical conductor 11 on the inner side 14 of the body part 2 also offers the great advantage that no opening through the body part 2 is required to supply voltage to the body part or to make electrical contact therewith with the control device 4, whereby the risk of collision can be reduced.

[0022] The first color 9 corresponds to the vehicle color, while the second color 10 contrasts with the vehicle color, i.e., the first color 9. This makes it possible to individually influence the visual appearance of the motor vehicle 1 by individually applying current to the electrical conductor 11. The liquid 7 in the first color 9 also makes it possible, in particular, to dispense with the need to paint the motor vehicle 1 in its vehicle color.

[0023] For example, if we consider the Fig. 1, it can be seen that on the motor vehicle 1 shown there, a side door 15 and a front apron 16 are covered with the functional surface layer 3 and can thus be changed in terms of their color by a single voltage application to the electrical conductor 11. Of course, the functional surface layer 3 can also be arranged in a line-like or contour-like manner on the surface of the motor vehicle 1, whereby lettering, emblems or, for example, warning signals 17, as is the case according to the Fig. 2 can be displayed.

[0024] The motor vehicle 1 can in principle be designed as an electric or hybrid vehicle, wherein the great advantage of the invention is that only a brief application of voltage to the electrical conductor 11 is sufficient to change the color of the visible surface of the functional surface layer 3 and, moreover, a comparatively simple and rapid color change is possible without, for example, a time-consuming and costly new painting process being required. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2020 113 398 A1

[0002] DE 10 2020 133 840 A1

[0003] DE 10 2016 001 578 A1

[0004] DE 10 2020 125 481 A1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle (1) with a functional surface layer (3) arranged on a body part (2), the optical appearance of which can be electrically switched by means of a control device (4), characterized by , - that the functional surface layer (3) has a microcapsule layer (5) with microcapsules (6) in which a liquid (7) in a first color (9) and positively charged contrast particles (8) in a second color (10) are arranged, wherein the first color (9) corresponds to a vehicle color and the second color (10) is different from the first color, - that an electrically energizable conductor (11) is arranged below the microcapsule layer (5), - the control device (4) is designed such that it can reverse the voltage in the electrical conductor (11), whereby the positively charged contrast particles (8) are either attracted to or repelled by the electrical conductor (11), so that the first color (9) or the second color (10) can be seen on a visible surface. [2] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the functional surface layer (3) has a clear lacquer layer (12) which covers the microcapsule layer (5). [3] Motor vehicle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the microcapsule layer (5) is arranged on an outer side (13) of the body part (2) and the electrical conductor (11) is arranged on an inner side (14) of the body part (2). [4] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the contrast particles (8) are arranged in the microcapsule layer (5) in such a way that when the control device (4) is activated in such a way that the contrast particles (8) are repelled by the electrical conductor (11), a signal, in particular a warning signal (18), lettering or an emblem can be seen on the visible surface. [5] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the body part (2) is a bonnet, a side door (15) or a tailgate. [6] Motor vehicle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the motor vehicle (1) is designed as an electric or hybrid vehicle.

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