Visible part with a translucent decoration to cover an associated functional surface and improved optical disappearance effect as well as associated use

Abstract

The invention relates to a visible part (1) which, when properly attached, forms a visible surface (S) facing the viewer (B) and covering a functional surface (F); comprising: a translucent panel (2) having a layer structure (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e) which forms a panel surface (2s) facing the viewer (B) and at least partially forming the visible surface (S) and a rear surface (2r) facing away from the viewer (B), wherein the layer structure (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e) of the panel (2) includes a translucent decorative layer (2c) which forms a decoration covering the functional surface (F); a transparent support (3) which is fixed to the aperture (2) and arranged on the side of the rear surface (2r) of the aperture (2), said support having a rear side (R) facing away from the aperture (2); an opaque mask (4) which is arranged between the support (3) and the aperture (2) and delimits a transparent window surface (W); a functional part (6) which is fixed to the support (3) and forms the functional surface (F) and is arranged on the rear side (R) of the support (3) in such a way that the functional surface (F) is visible to the viewer (B) through the window surface (W) in at least one translucent manner.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a visible part. Visible parts, particularly those for motor vehicles, are intended to have a high-quality optical and haptic appearance and are also subject to high thermal and mechanical stresses, particularly if they also provide a control surface for making a touch or actuation input. Panels, particularly those associated with a functional surface, such as a control surface or a display surface, or combinations thereof, increasingly have a translucent decorative layer to create an optical decoration covering the functional surface in order to conceal the presence of the functional surface, particularly a display surface when switched off, as a functional surface, which is commonly referred to as a disappearing effect.The translucency of the visible part is problematic in that an inhomogeneous rear side of the visible part facing away from the operator, for example due to fastening structures, stiffening ribs, positioning aids and / or markings formed or applied there, disrupts the desired visually homogeneous impression, especially in the event of extraneous light. In most cases, there is no alternative but to forego a coherent visual appearance spanning the functional surface and to cover up the "inhomogeneities" of the rear side with additional structures on the visible surface facing the viewer or operator. This measure disadvantageously increases the complexity and weight of the visible part and is no longer perceived as visually attractive. In addition, visible parts are aimed for that avoid gaps and interruptions and form a visible surface that is as closed as possible in order to facilitate durability and cleaning.

[0002] A visible part according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 20 2020 103 804 U1. Generic visible parts are also disclosed in DE 20 2023 102 992 U1 and DE 20 2019 005 292 U1.

[0003] Against this background, there was a need for a visible part that could be produced relatively easily, was designed to save weight, and which met the current optical requirements, at least. This problem is solved by a visible part according to claim 1. An equally advantageous use is the subject of a subordinate claim. Advantageous embodiments are each the subject of the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technologically expedient manner and demonstrate further embodiments of the invention. The description, particularly in conjunction with the figures, further characterizes and specifies the invention.

[0004] The invention relates to a visible part which, when properly attached, forms a visible surface facing the viewer or operator. The visible surface covers a functional surface, the latter being, according to the invention, an operating surface or a display surface or a combination thereof. The visible part according to the invention further comprises a translucent panel having a layered structure, which forms a panel surface facing the viewer and at least partially forming the visible surface, and a rear surface facing away from the viewer. Thus, when the visible part is properly attached, for example in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the panel is the component of the visible part according to the invention facing the viewer, arranged closest to the viewer, and in most installation situations, the only accessible component.

[0005] According to the invention, the layer structure of the panel includes a translucent decorative layer that forms a decoration covering the functional surface. For example, the decoration imitates a naturally occurring optical structure, such as a stone structure, a wood grain, or the like, or a technical structure, such as a structure of a fiber composite material or the like. The decorative layer preferably has a locally varying optical transmissivity, i.e., light permeability. For example, the transmissivity for each location of the decoration lies in a range between 20% and 80%, preferably 30% to 70%. The decorative surface preferably extends substantially parallel to the visible surface with a correspondingly corresponding extent.More preferably, the layer structure of the panel is designed in such a way that the residual thickness of the panel determined between the visible surface and the decorative layer is constant over the entire extent of the decoration and is, for example, 0.01 mm to 0.25 mm.

[0006] According to the invention, the visible part comprises a transparent carrier secured to the panel, arranged on the side of the rear surface of the panel, with a rear side facing away from the panel. The carrier serves at least to support a functional part forming the functional surface and arranged on the rear side of the carrier. The carrier preferably also forms one or more fastening structures, stiffening ribs, positioning aids, and / or markings, such as manufacturing marks. The fastening structures serve, for example, to secure it to a dashboard component or a load-bearing body component.

[0007] According to the invention, an opaque mask is further provided between the support and the panel, delimiting a transparent window surface, so that the functional surface of the functional part is visible to the observer through the window surface in at least a translucent manner. Preferably, the opaque mask, including the window surface defined by it, extends substantially parallel to the viewing surface.

[0008] The opaque mask thus ensures a homogeneous visual appearance of the decoration, particularly in the area outside the window area, while the transparency within the window area ensures good visibility of a functional area, particularly designed as a display area. Preferably, the functional area is framed by the opaque mask from the viewer's perspective.

[0009] Preferably, the carrier forms the aforementioned fastening structures, stiffening ribs, positioning aids and / or markings in the area covered by the opaque mask from the viewpoint of the observer and located exclusively outside the window area.

[0010] Preferably, the carrier is connected to the panel in a material-to-material manner, preferably in a material-to-material manner over the entire surface.

[0011] Preferably, an adhesion promoter layer is provided between the carrier and the panel. The carrier is preferably formed by back-injecting the panel with a thermoplastic.

[0012] Preferably, the total layer thickness of the visible part, apart from the functional part in the area of ​​the window surface, is 1 mm to 3 mm, in particular 2.5 mm.

[0013] Preferably, the functional part is connected to the support by a material bond, preferably ultrasonic welding. The areas in which the functional part and the support are materially bonded are preferably located within the window area from the viewer's perspective.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the functional part comprises a film with an electrically conductive sensor structure for capacitive proximity sensing to the associated operating surface and / or with at least one transmissive, backlit display surface. The film is arranged adjacent to the back of the carrier.

[0015] Preferably, the previously described film has openings through which webs, forming the functional part, extend. Their protruding ends are integrally connected to the carrier.

[0016] Preferably, the functional surface facing the wearer and / or any surface of the functional part remaining adjacent to the functional surface are color-matched to the opaque mask. For example, both are colored black. Preferably, the entire surface facing the back of the wearer, comprising all functional surfaces and any remaining surfaces, is congruent with the window surface. In other words, the entire surface of the functional element facing the back of the wearer and thus the viewer preferably corresponds to the window surface.

[0017] Preferably, the carrier has an average layer thickness determined exclusively across the window area, which is reduced compared to an average layer thickness determined exclusively across a region of the carrier lying outside the window area, which is referred to as the outer, average layer thickness. For example, the average layer thickness of the window area is reduced by at least 20%, preferably at least 40%, compared to the outer, average layer thickness. The reduced, average layer thickness of the window area minimizes optically negative effects - such as a parallax effect or invisibility of the edge regions of the functional part - while the overall stability of the arrangement is ensured by the functional part being integrally connected to the carrier.

[0018] Preferably, the layer structure of the panel comprises a layer of a transparent thermoplastic, such as polycarbonate, forming the rear surface.

[0019] The invention further relates to the use of the visible part in one of the previously described embodiments in a motor vehicle.

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures. These figures are to be understood as examples only and represent preferred embodiments. They show: Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an embodiment of the visible part 1 according to the invention; Fig. 2 a plan view of the panel 2 of the visible part 1 Fig. 1 formed visible surface S; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the back R of the carrier 3 of the visible part 1 from Fig. 1 without the functional part 6; Fig. 4 a perspective view of the back R of the carrier 3 of the visible part 1 from Fig. 1 together with the functional part 6 fixed to the carrier 6; Fig. 5 a perspective exploded view of the functional part 6 of Fig. 1 without its rear cover 6e.

[0021] The invention relates to a visible part 1 which, when properly attached, forms a visible surface S facing the viewer B or operator. The visible part 1 has a support 3 which serves to secure the visible part 1 to a load-bearing component, such as the vehicle body. The support 3 is formed, for example, exclusively on the side of the visible part 1 facing away from the viewer B. The visible surface S covers at least one functional surface F of a functional part 6 belonging to the visible part 1. The operating surface F can be an operating surface or a display surface or a combination thereof. The visible part 1 further has a translucent panel having a layer structure 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, which forms a panel surface 2s facing the viewer B and at least partially forming the visible surface S, and a rear surface 2r facing away from the viewer B.When the visible part 1 is mounted as intended, for example in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, the panel 2 is the component of the visible part 1 facing the viewer B, arranged closest to it and, in most installation situations, the only component accessible.

[0022] The layer structure 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e of the panel 2 includes a translucent decorative layer 2c extending substantially parallel to the visible surface S, which forms a decoration covering the functional surface F. For example, the decoration imitates a naturally occurring optical structure, such as a stone structure, a wood grain or the like, or a technical structure, such as a structure of a fiber composite material or the like. The decorative layer 2c has a locally varying optical transmissivity, i.e. light permeability. For example, the decoration is a sieve-like array of light transmission holes with a maximum diameter of 0.1 mm or less. For example, the decorative layer 2c is a print layer applied using a screen printing process, which is applied, for example, to a film layer 2b of the layer structure 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, which film layer is in the form of a film, in particular an acrylic film.

[0023] The film layer 2b is covered on the side facing the viewer B with a cover layer 2a made of transparent to translucent lacquer, which forms the visible surface S. The decorative layer 2c is bonded on the side facing away from the viewer B via a fully applied, first adhesion promoter layer 2d to a back layer 2e made of a thermoplastic, such as polycarbonate, by back-injection molding, which forms the rear surface 2r of the panel 2 on the side facing away from the viewer B. The thickness of the panel 2 lies in a range of 0.25 to 0.5 mm.

[0024] The visible part 1 further comprises a transparent carrier 3 which is fixed to the panel 2 and arranged on the side of the rear surface 2r of the panel 2 and has a rear side R facing away from the panel 2. The carrier 3 serves at least for the supporting fixing of a functional part 6 forming the functional surface F and arranged on the rear side R of the carrier 3. The carrier 3 furthermore forms on its rear side R one or more, as in Fig. 3 shown fastening structures 3b, in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 stiffening ribs 3a shown in Fig. 3 and / or markings not shown, such as manufacturing marks. The fastening structures 3b serve, for example, to secure the device to a dashboard component not shown or to a load-bearing body component.

[0025] Furthermore, an opaque mask M is provided between the carrier 3 and the panel 2 and delimits a transparent window area W, so that the at least one functional area F of the functional part 6 is visible to the viewer B through the window area W in at least a translucent manner. The opaque mask M, together with the window area W defined by it, extends essentially parallel to the visible area S. In the embodiment shown, a second adhesion promoter layer 5 is provided between the carrier 3 and the panel 2 in order to fix the carrier 3, which is made of a transparent thermoplastic, to the panel 2 by back-injection molding.

[0026] The opaque mask M thus ensures a homogeneous optical appearance of the decoration, in particular at least in the area outside the window area W, while the transparency within the window area W ensures good visibility of a functional area F, which is designed in particular as a display area. From the perspective of the viewer B, the functional area F is framed by the opaque mask M.

[0027] In addition, the carrier 3 forms the aforementioned fastening structures 3b, stiffening ribs 3a, positioning aids 3c and / or markings exclusively in the area covered by the opaque mask M from the viewpoint of the observer B and lying outside the window area W.

[0028] Here, the total layer thickness of the visible part 1 without the functional part 6 is in the range of the window area W 1 mm to 3 mm, such as 2.5 mm. As can be seen from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 4, the functional part 6 is fixed to the rear surface R of the carrier 3, namely by material bonding, in particular ultrasonic welding.

[0029] How Fig. 5, the functional part 6 comprises a film 6a with an electrically conductive sensor structure for capacitive proximity sensing to the associated operating surface F and at least one transmissive, backlit display surface. After fastening the functional part 6 to the carrier 3, the film 6a is arranged adjacent to the rear side R of the carrier 3, clamped between a frame 6d and the rear side R of the carrier 3, as Fig. 1. For the purpose of material-to-material attachment, the previously described film 6a has openings 6f through which webs 6c, formed by the frame 6d of the functional part 6, pass. The outer ends of the webs 6c are bonded to the carrier 3 by ultrasonic welding.

[0030] Thus, from the perspective of the observer B, the areas in which the functional part 6 and the support 3 are integrally connected lie within the window area W.

[0031] The functional surfaces F facing the carrier 3 and the surface of the functional part 6 remaining next to the functional surfaces F are color-matched to the opaque mask. For example, both are colored black. Thus, the total surface facing the rear side R of the carrier 3, consisting of all functional surfaces F and all remaining surfaces, is congruent with the window area W. In other words, the entire surface of the functional element 6 facing the rear side R of the carrier 3 and thus the viewer B corresponds to the window area W.

Claims

[1] Visible part (1) which, when properly attached, forms a visible surface (S) facing the viewer (B) and covering a functional surface (F); comprising: a translucent panel (2) having a layer structure (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e) which forms a panel surface (2s) facing the viewer (B) and at least partially forming the visible surface (S) and a rear surface (2r) facing away from the viewer (B), wherein the layer structure (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e) of the panel (2) includes a translucent decorative layer (2c) which forms a decoration covering the functional surface (F); a transparent support (3) fixed to the panel (2) and arranged on the side of the rear surface (2r) of the panel (2) with a rear side (R) facing away from the panel (2); an opaque mask (4) arranged between the carrier (3) and the aperture (2) and defining a transparent window area (W); a functional part (6) fixed to the support (3), forming the functional surface (F) and arranged on the back (R) of the support (3) in such a way that the functional surface (F) is visible to the viewer (B) through the window surface (W) in at least one translucent manner, characterized by , that the functional surface (F) is a control surface and / or a display surface. [2] Visible part (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the functional area (F) for the viewer (B) is framed by the opaque mask (4). [3] Visible part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (3) is connected to the panel (2) in a material-to-material manner, preferably in a material-to-material manner over the entire surface. [4] Visible part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (3) has an average layer thickness determined exclusively over the window area (W), which is reduced compared to an average layer thickness determined exclusively over a region of the carrier (3) lying outside the window area (W). [5] Visible part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (3) is formed by back-injection of the panel (2) from a thermoplastic. [6] Visible part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the translucent decorative layer (2c) has a locally varying optical transmissivity. [7] Visible part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional part (6) is connected to the carrier (3) by material bonding, preferably ultrasonic welding. [8] Visible part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional part (6) has a film (6a) with an electrically conductive sensor structure (6b) for capacitive proximity sensing to the associated operating surface and / or with at least one transmissive, backlit display surface, wherein the film (6a) is arranged adjacent to the rear side (R) of the carrier (3). [9] Visible part (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the film (6) has openings through which webs (6c) of the functional part (6) pass, the projecting ends of which are each connected to the carrier (3) in a materially bonded manner. [10] Visible part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier (3) forms one or more fastening structures, stiffening ribs (3a), positioning aids and / or markings exclusively in the area (M) covered by the opaque mask (4) from the viewpoint of the observer (B) and lying outside the window area (W). [11] Visible part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional surface facing the wearer (3) and / or a surface of the functional part (6) remaining next to the functional surface (F) is colour-matched to the opaque mask (4). [12] Visible part (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the layer structure (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e) of the panel (2) has a layer (2e) forming the rear surface (2r) made of a transparent thermoplastic, such as polycarbonate. [13] Use of the visible part (1) according to one of the preceding claims in a motor vehicle.

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